Arusha — Tension between Kenya and Tanzania
tour operators is expected to reduce following a meeting in Arusha of
the ministers responsible for Tourism, Wildlife Management, and EAC
Affairs of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda recently.
According to a press release, in regard to the treatment of Tourist
Driver Guides at the border crossings, the Ministers urged the Partner
States to sensitize law enforcement officials and
public on appropriate conduct when interacting so as to reduce
incidences that may frustrate the smooth operations of the tourism
sector.
They also urged Partner States to build the capacity of tour
operators to appreciate the importance of security while operating in
the region to reduce misunderstandings between the two sectors.
In addition, they also urged Partner States to engage the relevant
Ministries to work out the modalities to develop frameworks to ensure
smooth movement of the citizens of the EAC Partner States across borders
and within improved to enhance intra-regional tourism.
With regard to 'Accessibility of Tourist Vehicles to Tourist sites in
Partner States and Work Permit Fees for Tour Operators', the
Ministers/Cabinet Secretary noted that in the Republic of Kenya, the use
of the tourist vehicle sticker was under review due to changes in the
Tourism Act. The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary urged Kenya to officially
communicate the new changes in the regulations to all Partner States by
20th March, 2014.
And for the work permits, the Ministers/Cabinet Secretary noted that
the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) had officially abolished the
Carrying on Temporary Assignment Pass (CTA).
They urged Tanzania to officially communicate on this matter to
Partner States by 20th March, 2014. Prior to July 2013, every
non-citizen (including citizens of other Partner States) entering URT
for the purpose of engaging in any lawful and gainful activities were
subjected to pay a fee of $200 for a CTA.
Tanzania reported to the meeting that from July 2013 a directive was
circulated to Immigration Officials at all entry points not to charge a
fee of $200 for a CTA to citizens of the other Partner States.
The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary reiterated their commitment to
promote cooperation in the tourism sector with a focus on regional
integration, and agreed to engage in bilateral arrangements by reviewing
or developing agreements.
In this regard, the Ministers urged Kenya and Tanzania to continue
with the existing bi-lateral agreement on cooperation in tourism and
also urged the two Partner States to meet bi-laterally to review the
bi-lateral agreement on cooperation in tourism within six months.
They urged Uganda to develop bi-lateral agreements for cooperation in
tourism with the other Partner States. The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary
also urged Rwanda and Burundi to develop bi-lateral agreements for
cooperation in tourism with the other Partner States.
The Ministers directed the Secretariat to coordinate the development
of Regional Guidelines to manage tour operations in the EAC by July,
2014. The Secretariat was also urged to convene a regional meeting of
the five Partner States involving Tour Operators Associations, ,
Wildlife Agencies, Tourist Boards, Security/Immigration, EATP and other
stakeholders to consider the draft Regional Guidelines to manage tour
operations by August, 2014.
The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary urged the Partner States to make
additional commitments on the elimination of restrictions on the
services in the Tourism sector; and as well as to expedite the
liberalization of more services in the sector.
The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary urged Partner States to sensitize the
investors of privately owned tourist facilities to apply EAC rates; and
also urged Partner States to amend current legislations to ensure that
privately owned vehicles belonging to citizens of the EAC Partner States
are accorded local treatment while visiting tourist sites.
Cooperation in conservation of Flora and Fauna
The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary; urged Partner States to jointly
consider regional cooperation in conservation of fauna and flora; urged
Partner States to expedite the review of existing legislation to ensure
that the Region's endangered wildlife resources are protected by
December 2014; and included the cross border efforts in the Regional
strategy to fight poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife, wildlife
and forest products for consideration by the Sectoral Council Tourism
and Wildlife Management.
The Ministers/Cabinet Secretary's recommendations will be submitted
to the EAC Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management for
further action.
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