Against this backdrop, the Africa Travel Association (ATA)
is currently holding a week-long convention in Uganda’s capital, Kampala
attracting key industry players to discuss promoting travel and tourism
to Africans and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships. The 2014
program is expected to present a line-up of educational and professional
development seminars for tourism leaders and professionals specialising
in Africa.
Offering a networking and learning platform for players in
the tourism industry the event will address challenges facing the
tourism sector in the continent. Over 300 regional and foreign delegates
are expected to attend the congress as it is officially been opened by
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
“As an association we believe it takes collaboration between
the public and the private sector and through the government [to boost
the tourism sector]. This year we are really excited, we have a session
on tourism facilitation that will see many issues discussed,” Andrea
Papitto, Trade Relations and Communications Manager at Africa Travel
Association told CNBC Africa.
“We hope that countries will work together for promotions to
ease visa restrictions. We are really excited about the East Africa
tourist visa between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania to have a
universal visa,” Papitto said.
In February, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda launched a
cross-border travel permit to ease free movement of tourists and
citizens alike with Tanzania joining the pack early this month. The East
Africa Tourist Visa allows travel between member country states with
the same multiple entry visa. This visa is the result of a joint
initiative made by the heads of states of the respective partner
countries to boost regional travel and create opportunities for tourists
to explore the diversity of East Africa.
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