Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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- #141
Tanzania derailing single tourist visa uptake - industry stakeholders
Tourists at a park in Tanzania. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
IN SUMMARY
Background
According to tourism stakeholders, the number of tourists visiting the region as a circuit would rise if Tanzania, the lead destination in the region, joined in the initiative.
"Currently, Tanzania receives more tourists than Kenya and has more and better sites than any other partner state. Therefore, if the country were to join hands with the other member states, then we would likely to see more tourists coming into the region especially to the Mara then Serengeti National park," said Waturi Matu, the co-ordinator of the East African Tourism Platform.
She added: "Kenya is known for its Big Five Safaris while Tanzania is best known for its tree-climbing lions. A tourist would prefer travelling to these two destinations on a single tourist visa through Kenya for the safari then cross over to Tanzania to spot the tree climbing lions."
But Tanzania has categorically stated that until security concerns are addressed, it is not ready to be part of the single tourist visa. The country also wants the issue of how revenues will be split addressed and infrastructure put in place.
"Security in the region is not good. For example, Kenya is prone to Al Shabaab attacks; if a tourist gets a visa from Tanzania and has security problems in Kenya, who will be blamed?" Tanzania's EAC Deputy Minister Abdullah Juma said in an interview.
READ: Tough times ahead for EA tourism as insecurity scares visitors away
ALSO READ: Terrorist threat may weigh against Single Tourist Visa
A recent report shows that since the launch of the single tourist visa on February 20, only 1,560 have been sold. The number is projected to rise by nine per cent in 2015 if insecurity, and the issue of high cost of airfares and hotel ratings are addressed.
According to Ms Matu, the high cost of air travel across the region is hurting the growth of the tourism industry.
"Flying across the East African Community is too expensive compared with other regions across the continent and globally," said Ms Matu, adding that a tourist would rather pay $100 more to South Africa than fly to the three East African countries which will cost him/her almost three times the cost to South Africa.
Flight charges
Flying from one of the EAC countries to another costs between $220 and $350 minus taxes, for a return trip. Ms Matu blamed the high costs on the absence of uniform airspace policies and high airport parking fees.
EAC air transport is governed by the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) negotiated between the different EAC countries.
The current BASAs, however, have restrictions on designated routes (route schedule), which in most cases include departure from one party's international (mainly capital city) airports to the other contracting party's international airport or capital city; cabotage rights (the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by an aircraft registered in another country), which are not provided; designation of beneficiary airlines; conditions such as the requirement for substantial ownership and effective control of the designated airline being vested in the contracting party or its nationals.
This is the case in the BASA between Rwanda &[HASHTAG]#8211[/HASHTAG]; Kenya; and Rwanda &[HASHTAG]#8211[/HASHTAG]; Tanzania.
Limitations of capacity, particularly in frequencies, such as the case of Rwanda and Tanzania's bilateral agreement, is also a challenge. Any flights beyond the scheduled number are considered unscheduled and attract extra charges.
"The restrictions limit operations of foreign airlines and are, therefore, uncompetitive," noted Ms Matu.
Other factors constraining the EAC air transport industry include the uncompetitive domestic tax regime; fiscal policies such as airport taxes and VAT, high insurance premiums; management inefficiencies; limited subsidies and safety oversight.
The EAC is currently negotiating to liberalise its air space in order to boost competitiveness. It recently developed the EAC liberalisation of transport services regulations - which eliminate some of the restrictions imposed by BASAs.
For example, partner states can grant each other rights beyond the ones provided in the regulations at their own discretion. They can also liberalise air transport tariff without the relevant authorities in the EAC being required to approve them.
Tanzania derailing single tourist visa uptake - industry stakeholders - Business - www.theeastafrican.co.ke
MY TAKE
First Tanzania has her own big five and does not need to be complemented by Kenya's big five or whats ever tourism product Kenya offers.Its lame and stupid to brand Kenya to be big five favourite over Tanzania.
If Kenya and Rwanda are real serious about one visa tourism for EA market then they should allow Fastjet Tanzania operate unrestricted on routes to Nairobi and Mombasa and on those routes granted a 5th freedom right by Uganda.
Otherwise there is no point to harmonize visa while KQ's and Rwandair's monopolies are unfairly ripping off tourists at bloated airfares! Kenyans should stop pretending to be not aware of their scheming and crying foul attitude, the regional market is for all to benefit including budget airlines operating in member states as far as fair competition principles are considered.
BTW Tanzania stated clearly her having no interest with this one visa thing i wonder where is all this noisy coming from while the initiative was launched at pomp and fanfare in the name of isolating Tanzania.
lawmaina78 bagamoyo waltham, Dhuks, Askari Kanzu JokaKuu
Tourists at a park in Tanzania. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
IN SUMMARY
Background
- The single tourist visa was launched on February 20.
- MARKETING: Since then, the three partner states have been jointly marketing the region as a single destination at the international level.
- OUTSOURCING: Countries also pledged to each task a private public relations firm to help in the marketing of the countries' tourism sites.
- PROGRESS SO FAR: Only Rwanda has hired a private PR firm to handle its marketing. Uganda is in the process of hiring one and has already advertised the tenders. Kenya is yet to act.
- COSTS: The single tourism visa costs $100 and grants tourists a 90-day validity period with no room for extension.
- Tour firms recently proposed a review of the visa to allow 30 days of free movement for expatriates within the region.
According to tourism stakeholders, the number of tourists visiting the region as a circuit would rise if Tanzania, the lead destination in the region, joined in the initiative.
"Currently, Tanzania receives more tourists than Kenya and has more and better sites than any other partner state. Therefore, if the country were to join hands with the other member states, then we would likely to see more tourists coming into the region especially to the Mara then Serengeti National park," said Waturi Matu, the co-ordinator of the East African Tourism Platform.
She added: "Kenya is known for its Big Five Safaris while Tanzania is best known for its tree-climbing lions. A tourist would prefer travelling to these two destinations on a single tourist visa through Kenya for the safari then cross over to Tanzania to spot the tree climbing lions."
But Tanzania has categorically stated that until security concerns are addressed, it is not ready to be part of the single tourist visa. The country also wants the issue of how revenues will be split addressed and infrastructure put in place.
"Security in the region is not good. For example, Kenya is prone to Al Shabaab attacks; if a tourist gets a visa from Tanzania and has security problems in Kenya, who will be blamed?" Tanzania's EAC Deputy Minister Abdullah Juma said in an interview.
READ: Tough times ahead for EA tourism as insecurity scares visitors away
ALSO READ: Terrorist threat may weigh against Single Tourist Visa
A recent report shows that since the launch of the single tourist visa on February 20, only 1,560 have been sold. The number is projected to rise by nine per cent in 2015 if insecurity, and the issue of high cost of airfares and hotel ratings are addressed.
According to Ms Matu, the high cost of air travel across the region is hurting the growth of the tourism industry.
"Flying across the East African Community is too expensive compared with other regions across the continent and globally," said Ms Matu, adding that a tourist would rather pay $100 more to South Africa than fly to the three East African countries which will cost him/her almost three times the cost to South Africa.
Flight charges
Flying from one of the EAC countries to another costs between $220 and $350 minus taxes, for a return trip. Ms Matu blamed the high costs on the absence of uniform airspace policies and high airport parking fees.
EAC air transport is governed by the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) negotiated between the different EAC countries.
The current BASAs, however, have restrictions on designated routes (route schedule), which in most cases include departure from one party's international (mainly capital city) airports to the other contracting party's international airport or capital city; cabotage rights (the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by an aircraft registered in another country), which are not provided; designation of beneficiary airlines; conditions such as the requirement for substantial ownership and effective control of the designated airline being vested in the contracting party or its nationals.
This is the case in the BASA between Rwanda &[HASHTAG]#8211[/HASHTAG]; Kenya; and Rwanda &[HASHTAG]#8211[/HASHTAG]; Tanzania.
Limitations of capacity, particularly in frequencies, such as the case of Rwanda and Tanzania's bilateral agreement, is also a challenge. Any flights beyond the scheduled number are considered unscheduled and attract extra charges.
"The restrictions limit operations of foreign airlines and are, therefore, uncompetitive," noted Ms Matu.
Other factors constraining the EAC air transport industry include the uncompetitive domestic tax regime; fiscal policies such as airport taxes and VAT, high insurance premiums; management inefficiencies; limited subsidies and safety oversight.
The EAC is currently negotiating to liberalise its air space in order to boost competitiveness. It recently developed the EAC liberalisation of transport services regulations - which eliminate some of the restrictions imposed by BASAs.
For example, partner states can grant each other rights beyond the ones provided in the regulations at their own discretion. They can also liberalise air transport tariff without the relevant authorities in the EAC being required to approve them.
Tanzania derailing single tourist visa uptake - industry stakeholders - Business - www.theeastafrican.co.ke
MY TAKE
First Tanzania has her own big five and does not need to be complemented by Kenya's big five or whats ever tourism product Kenya offers.Its lame and stupid to brand Kenya to be big five favourite over Tanzania.
If Kenya and Rwanda are real serious about one visa tourism for EA market then they should allow Fastjet Tanzania operate unrestricted on routes to Nairobi and Mombasa and on those routes granted a 5th freedom right by Uganda.
Otherwise there is no point to harmonize visa while KQ's and Rwandair's monopolies are unfairly ripping off tourists at bloated airfares! Kenyans should stop pretending to be not aware of their scheming and crying foul attitude, the regional market is for all to benefit including budget airlines operating in member states as far as fair competition principles are considered.
BTW Tanzania stated clearly her having no interest with this one visa thing i wonder where is all this noisy coming from while the initiative was launched at pomp and fanfare in the name of isolating Tanzania.
lawmaina78 bagamoyo waltham, Dhuks, Askari Kanzu JokaKuu
