Tourism Stakeholders in East Africa Push for Reforms
Tourism stakeholders in East Africa are advocating for immediate reforms to lower travel costs in the region. High airfares, expensive cross-border transactions, and slow implementation of regional agreements are hampering the development of a unified tourism market.
Industry representatives urge East African Community (EAC) governments to enhance air connectivity, promote seamless digital payments, and remove policy barriers limiting movement between member states. They emphasize the importance of implementing Article 104 of the EAC Treaty, which supports the free movement of people, labor, services, and goods.
These issues were highlighted during discussions between tourism operators, policymakers, and private-sector representatives from Kenya and Uganda in Mombasa. The findings will be presented at a regional tourism summit on October 26-27, aimed at finding practical solutions.
Herbert Kiguli, Uganda’s Consul in Mombasa, noted the potential for growth in regional tourism if existing barriers were addressed. He highlighted how the use of national identification cards has facilitated cross-border travel between Kenya and Uganda, with Uganda being one of Kenya’s largest source markets, reflecting over 225,000 visitors in 2024 and over 234,000 in 2025.
Kiguli expressed that visitor numbers could further increase if EAC policies were effectively implemented. He called for the use of technology to eliminate financial and administrative hurdles, particularly in payments, enabling tourists to easily use mobile phones for transactions without incurring high charges.
Stakeholders are advocating for mobile payment platforms like Safaricom’s M-Pesa and MTN MoMo Pay to be interoperable across borders, encouraging a cashless economy.
As reliance on digital platforms grows for bookings and payments, stakeholders stress the need for younger generations to market East Africa online through social media and mobile apps. They argue for promoting EAC countries as complementary destinations instead of competing individually.
The EAC Secretariat is also encouraged to leverage technology to enhance visitor experiences, from booking to accommodation. However, air transport remains a significant challenge.
Patrick Kamanga, a representative from the Kenya Association of Tour Operators, pointed out the high costs of air travel within the region, citing the Mombasa-Entebbe route where fares can soar to $800. He called for the treatment of airspace as a single market, urging the elimination of national taxes that inflate regional flight costs.
Kamanga also recommended reviewing airline operating rights and improving infrastructure, such as roads and airports, to better connect tourist destinations. He underscored the need for accessible transport solutions within the region.
The upcoming summit is expected to involve national and county governments, airlines, tour operators, hoteliers, and other stakeholders in identifying and addressing these challenges.
