By Prof. Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN Africa Correspondent | Sep 02, 2015
Rwanda will be hosting a networking session for tourism stakeholders from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in Kigali, at the Kigali Serena Hotel Conference Centre, following the morning session of ‘Conversation about Conservation’ which RDB has also organized as part of the annual ‘Kwita Izina’ festival week, celebrating the conservation efforts aimed at protecting the endangered mountain gorillas.
The EATP networking session is geared to offer stakeholders a platform for starting a conversation about intra-inter-regional tourism collaboration in East Africa. Some of the significant reasons why selling the region as one single tourist destination is a smart and sound way forward, will be highlighted. With the EAC Single Tourist Visa and the use of national ID’s for travelling within the 3 countries – Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – EATP now strives to bring about a more integrated tourism sector.
Encouraging stakeholders to introduce and sell multi-country packages and improve cross-border economic and tourism growth by means of this platform, will be the main objective of the networking session. The vision of East Africa Tourism Platform is to create a vibrant and diverse single tourist destination, which offers exceptional experiences to domestic, regional and international tourists.
This networking session serves as the first of a series of events which EATP will present across the region, aimed at encouraging the tourism private sector to view EAC as a growing tourism market and a destination with multiple products and service offerings. The forum is taking place during the 11th “Kwita Izina” Event, organized by Rwanda Development Board. A new addition this year is the Kwita Izina Awards, which will be launched to recognize local conservationists for their life-time achievements and contributions to wildlife and tourism. EATP has invited all tourism stakeholders in East Africa to attend this event. This is the day for business, so let’s talk about intra and inter-regional tourism.
Stakeholders are invited to attend the session, which is open to industry representatives from across the region and across the board.
