Published on : Saturday, November 9, 2013
Ministers responsible for Tourism from East African Community (EAC) member countries and the EAC Secretariat have hosted a joint event at the World Travel Mart (WTM) 2013 in London to promote the region as a single tourist destination.
Addressing guests at the event, Uganda’s Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba, who is also the chairperson of the EAC sectoral council on tourism and wildlife management, emphasized that the East African region was a secure and safe destination of wonders and opportunities.
She highlighted that this year at the WTM from Nov 4 to 7, the EAC focused on three main aspects, regional achievements to date and where the region is heading; safety and security; and finally, a new innovative way to promote the region as a single tourist destination.
The EAC partner states have embarked on the process of a Common Market Protocol facilitating free movement of people, skills, goods and services, a major milestone which will see the enhancement of trade and movement of goods as well as services.
In addition, an achievement favoured in the hospitality and travel industry is the removal of non-tariff barriers and the enhancement of a free trade area as well as the anticipated introduction of a single currency under an EAC Monetary Union.
“The tourism sector has also started harmonizing hospitality services policies and laws in the region in preparation for full cooperation and to sustainably utilize our resources as a region,” she noted.
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