The idea of a single tourist visa being rolled out in the East African Community (EAC) region is a step in the right direction due to the projected benefits that will accrue with such an arrangement.
But if history has taught us anything, it is that such multinational arrangements, especially under the umbrella of a regional bloc, need to be carefully implemented in order to avert any possible grievances from member states.
The fact that the EAC offers an enviable selection of tourist destination sites makes the single tourist visa arrangement even more appealing.
While Africa attracted 43 million tourists in 2022, 13.5 percent of them visited East Africa. Considering what the region has to offer in terms of tourism destination sites, this percentage, which is equivalent to 5.3 million tourists for the entire region, is less than pleasing.
Tanzania and Kenya enjoy the lion’s share of the arrivals, which is close to 3 million combined. But this number pales in comparison to what a country like Egypt is able to attract annually.
Going by the 2022 figures, Egypt alone welcomed over 11 million tourists, topping the list of the most visited countries in Africa. When you compare that number with Tanzania’s and Kenya’s 1.4 million tourists in the same period, it goes to show that there is a lot of ground that needs to be covered for East Africa to not only realize its full potential but also reach heights that will make it a continental and global competitor.
Due to the projected benefits of implementing a single visa that will allow tourists wishing to visit the East African region to access all seven countries of the EAC, the research and advocacy exercise that is being undertaken by the East Africa Tourism Platform should factor in the possible challenges that such an arrangement might encounter.
It is critical to have a sober mind as a whole, and foresight always comes in handy when pushing for such ambitious and complex initiatives.
The good thing is that three of the seven EAC member states laid the groundwork that can somehow be used as guidance when they established the multiple entry visa that allowed tourists visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda to enjoy a borderless experience in these three countries for 90 days.
What this means is that Tanzania, with its unique natural endowments, stands to benefit from the influx of tourists flocking to the region in search of a travel adventure and experience of a lifetime.
With the single tourist visa being a forerunner to a single tourist destination in the region, there are fears that perhaps a borderless tourist market in East Africa might benefit more those who are less endowed with natural scenic destinations, much to the detriment of perennial destinations such as Tanzania that might have to settle for sharing the unique tourists with the rest of the members.
But on a bigger picture, what this arrangement provides is opportunity for scale, not only in the direct tourism market but also in affiliated businesses.
Work together
The opportunities are in abundance, and it just requires member countries to strategise as a united front in order to reap the full rewards that lie ahead.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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