East African countries are now working to have a joint tourism Visa
Ministers responsible for Tourism and Wildlife Management from the eight East African Community Member States have adopted the joint Tourism Marketing Strategy.
Set to run between 2027 and 2036, the joint EAC Tourism Strategy is setting a ten-year framework for unified efforts to promote East Africa as a single, competitive tourism destination.
The plan will include a joint tourism visa for all East African Community Member States, leverage the region’s natural and cultural heritage through digital marketing, strategic partnerships and cross-border tourism packages under the regional brand “Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe.”
The Ministers also committed to leverage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 to showcase East Africa to the world, attract more visitors and expand tourism opportunities beyond the three host countries to the entire Community.
The decisions were adopted during the 13th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management (SCTWM), held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha. The meeting brought together Ministers, Cabinet Secretaries, Permanent and Principal Secretaries, senior officials and the EAC Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by Col. Tom Butime, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities of Uganda, while Mr. Eugene Mutangana, Executive Secretary, Rwanda Nature Foundation, Rwanda Development Board, Republic of Rwanda, was the Rapporteur.
The Chairperson highlighted five priorities requiring accelerated implementation, including strengthening transboundary conservation in shared ecosystems such as Kidepo, Mount Elgon, Kagera and Virunga.
It also entails harmonizing tourism grading and classification standards; improving tourism statistics through the EAC Barometer; advancing the Single Tourist Visa and facilitating cross-border travel; and strengthening joint tourism marketing and branding.
“We need to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment, develop bankable regional tourism projects, mobilize resources and establish effective monitoring mechanisms to track results,” he said.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the benefits realized from tourism and wildlife so far were “only the tip of the iceberg.”
He called on Partner States to expedite the classification of tourism establishments ahead of AFCON 2027, noting that “the world will judge East Africa by the quality of the rooms, the meals and the service that our visitors receive.”
He also urged Partner States to conclude national consultations on the Single Tourist Visa.
The Sectoral Council welcomed Uganda’s offer to host the 4th EAC Regional Tourism Expo alongside the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in May 2027.
The joint event will incorporate AFCON 2027 promotional activities and multi-country tourism packages to showcase East Africa’s diverse tourism offerings to international visitors.
Partner States were urged to participate with high-level representation, while the Secretariat was directed to work with the host on preparations and promotion of the regional brand.
To ensure visitors receive quality services during AFCON 2027, Ministers urged Partner States to expedite the classification of tourism establishments.
The Sectoral Council adopted common East African Community classification plaque and certificate designs, directed that classified establishments be published in the EAC Gazette and adopted examination results for newly trained assessors from Kenya and Tanzania.
The Sectoral Council directed the Secretariat to circulate the updated study on the EAC Single Tourist Visa by 20 October 2026 and urged Partner States to submit comments by 30 November 2026.
On conservation, Ministers directed the Secretariat to coordinate a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda for the Kidepo-Karamoja-Turkana Transboundary Conservation Area.
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism and wildlife sector and commended partners, including GIZ, the European Union, TradeMark Africa, IUCN and RCMRD, for their continued support.