Tanzania rejects EAC single tourist visa plan!

Geeky · Jan 22, 2014

Samuel Sitta (right), Tanzania's minister for East African Affairs and Zamaradi Kawawa, deputy director of Information Services. Mr Sitta said a single visa system will compromise Tanzania's security because the country will be forced to surrender its control of who enters the country. Photo/Venance Nestory

SUMMARY

Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.
Samuel Sitta, Tanzania's minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.
Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

Tanzania has finally ruled out joining the proposed 'East African single tourist visa', arguing that it is a threat to its security and economy, sparking fears about its commitment to joint projects under the trade bloc.
Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.

A similar plan is jointly being pursued by the five EAC countries. EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera last year cited the introduction of a single tourist visa to the region, and the revival of an East African passport across the member states, as among the priorities for the trading bloc, alongside the removal of non-tariff barriers in the aviation and tourism sectors.

It is understood that Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda decided to implement the project against Tanzania's apparent opposition to it.

Tanzanian officials have repeatedly said that they have no objection to other EAC member states holding bilateral discussions as long as they do not take decisions that are binding to the community. Tanzania has recently been accused of being slow in implementing regional agreements, informing the formation of the CoW.

According to experts, the visa is expected to increase the number of tourists visiting the region because they will now pay $100 for a 90-day multiple entry visa that takes them to all the three countries instead of $150 that was required by each country.

However, Samuel Sitta, Tanzania's minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.

"Tanzania has the largest number of tourist attractions in the region, and as of last year it had the largest number of tourists than any other East African country; under circumstance like this, how will the revenue from visa charges be shared," said Mr Sitta on Friday.

He said Kenya has the best air transport with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport receiving four times the number of international flights compared with Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport, meaning the largest number of tourists will enter the region through Nairobi.

He said the scenarios mean that Kenya will collect all revenue from visa charges while tourists under the single visa system will enter Tanzania free of charge denying the latter a substantial amount of income.

Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

statistics :

Tourist arrivals
Tanzania received 6.7 million tourists between 2001 and 2012 earning the country Tsh614.38 billion ($380.3 million).

Source : Tanzania rejects EAC single tourist visa plan - News - www.theeastafrican.co.ke

mbinguni · Jan 22, 2014

Sita has done it well

gasomwa · Jan 22, 2014

well done na hata EAC yenyewe siitaki labda iwe kama EU na sio single political territory

Kundelungu · Jan 22, 2014

Thumbs up for Sitta. Yes, I support this very much as we Tanzanians do not have to be subjected in that system because we can benefit by the tourists coming to our country which has a lot of attractions. What Sitta with his coaleagues in the govt is to advertise as much as we can because the industry needs a serious promotion.

HIMARS · Jan 22, 2014

Yaani niko nao hapa wanataka sana tufungue mipaka ili waje tena

Kifulambute · Jan 22, 2014

Well done Sitta, kenyan are just looking at taking our land and everything..let them go with their vissa and will collect our revenue..shit!! Kenyan=thief

semmiri · Jan 22, 2014

Well done Sita.

genoveive John · Jan 22, 2014

Ooh thank God at least now our leaders are standing for something right.

Crocodiletooth · Jan 22, 2014

well done mr sitta,thanks alots for rejecting the traps,other shits may enter the shits!!

makoye78 · Jan 22, 2014

Well done! Hii EAC imekaa kimitego sana, you do one mistake, they score hundred of goals! Tusipokuwa macho tutakuwa koloni la nchi wanachama wa EAC!

Kerbin · Jan 22, 2014

Geeky said:
Samuel Sitta (right), Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs and Zamaradi Kawawa, deputy director of Information Services. Mr Sitta said a single visa system will compromise Tanzanias security because the country will be forced to surrender its control of who enters the country. Photo/Venance Nestory

SUMMARY

Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.

Samuel Sitta, Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.

Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

Tanzania has finally ruled out joining the proposed 'East African single tourist visa', arguing that it is a threat to its security and economy, sparking fears about its commitment to joint projects under the trade bloc.
Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.

A similar plan is jointly being pursued by the five EAC countries. EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera last year cited the introduction of a single tourist visa to the region, and the revival of an East African passport across the member states, as among the priorities for the trading bloc, alongside the removal of non-tariff barriers in the aviation and tourism sectors.

It is understood that Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda decided to implement the project against Tanzanias apparent opposition to it.

Tanzanian officials have repeatedly said that they have no objection to other EAC member states holding bilateral discussions as long as they do not take decisions that are binding to the community. Tanzania has recently been accused of being slow in implementing regional agreements, informing the formation of the CoW.

According to experts, the visa is expected to increase the number of tourists visiting the region because they will now pay $100 for a 90-day multiple entry visa that takes them to all the three countries instead of $150 that was required by each country.

However, Samuel Sitta, Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.

Tanzania has the largest number of tourist attractions in the region, and as of last year it had the largest number of tourists than any other East African country; under circumstance like this, how will the revenue from visa charges be shared, said Mr Sitta on Friday.

He said Kenya has the best air transport with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport receiving four times the number of international flights compared with Dar es Salaams Julius Nyerere International Airport, meaning the largest number of tourists will enter the region through Nairobi.

He said the scenarios mean that Kenya will collect all revenue from visa charges while tourists under the single visa system will enter Tanzania free of charge denying the latter a substantial amount of income.

Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

statistics :

Tourist arrivals
Tanzania received 6.7 million tourists between 2001 and 2012 earning the country Tsh614.38 billion ($380.3 million).

Source : Tanzania rejects EAC single tourist visa plan - News - www.theeastafrican.co.ke

We need such leader who has got wide perspective towards the future. Keep it up Hon. Sitta

BABA JUICE · Jan 22, 2014

Kazi njema baba..pamoja daima

cheetah fighter · Jan 23, 2014

Geeky said:
Samuel Sitta (right), Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs and Zamaradi Kawawa, deputy director of Information Services. Mr Sitta said a single visa system will compromise Tanzanias security because the country will be forced to surrender its control of who enters the country. Photo/Venance Nestory

SUMMARY

Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.

Samuel Sitta, Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.

Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

Tanzania has finally ruled out joining the proposed 'East African single tourist visa', arguing that it is a threat to its security and economy, sparking fears about its commitment to joint projects under the trade bloc.
Beginning January 1, 2014, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), effected a single tourist visa for visitors to their destinations.

A similar plan is jointly being pursued by the five EAC countries. EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera last year cited the introduction of a single tourist visa to the region, and the revival of an East African passport across the member states, as among the priorities for the trading bloc, alongside the removal of non-tariff barriers in the aviation and tourism sectors.

It is understood that Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda decided to implement the project against Tanzanias apparent opposition to it.

Tanzanian officials have repeatedly said that they have no objection to other EAC member states holding bilateral discussions as long as they do not take decisions that are binding to the community. Tanzania has recently been accused of being slow in implementing regional agreements, informing the formation of the CoW.

According to experts, the visa is expected to increase the number of tourists visiting the region because they will now pay $100 for a 90-day multiple entry visa that takes them to all the three countries instead of $150 that was required by each country.

However, Samuel Sitta, Tanzanias minister for East African Affairs said the country is unlikely to join the single visa territory any time soon.

Tanzania has the largest number of tourist attractions in the region, and as of last year it had the largest number of tourists than any other East African country; under circumstance like this, how will the revenue from visa charges be shared, said Mr Sitta on Friday.

He said Kenya has the best air transport with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport receiving four times the number of international flights compared with Dar es Salaams Julius Nyerere International Airport, meaning the largest number of tourists will enter the region through Nairobi.

He said the scenarios mean that Kenya will collect all revenue from visa charges while tourists under the single visa system will enter Tanzania free of charge denying the latter a substantial amount of income.

Mr Sitta said so far there is no devised mechanism as to how the revenue will be shared, and hence there is no benefit for Tanzania in this arrangement.

statistics :

Tourist arrivals
Tanzania received 6.7 million tourists between 2001 and 2012 earning the country Tsh614.38 billion ($380.3 million).

Source : Tanzania rejects EAC single tourist visa plan - News - www.theeastafrican.co.ke

Sitta oyeee

waltham · Jan 25, 2014

i cry for tanzania.wakati kila mtu africa uaja pamoja na kuondoa mipaka ya kiukoloni na kifra hawa ndugu ndio kuezeka kuta.haki yenu lakini muwe na mazoea ya kuingia uajani na kumenyana na wengine kifikira na kimawazo sio kulia kila wakati kaonewa,kafukuzwa na kadhalika.

Window7 · Jan 25, 2014

waltham said:
i cry for tanzania.wakati kila mtu africa uaja pamoja na kuondoa mipaka ya kiukoloni na kifra hawa ndugu ndio kuezeka kuta.haki yenu lakini muwe na mazoea ya kuingia uajani na kumenyana na wengine kifikira na kimawazo sio kulia kila wakati kaonewa,kafukuzwa na kadhalika.

Umeandika nini sasa..

hamidshaban · Jan 25, 2014

waltham said:
i cry for tanzania.wakati kila mtu africa uaja pamoja na kuondoa mipaka ya kiukoloni na kifra hawa ndugu ndio kuezeka kuta.haki yenu lakini muwe na mazoea ya kuingia uajani na kumenyana na wengine kifikira na kimawazo sio kulia kila wakati kaonewa,kafukuzwa na kadhalika.

We Mkenya imekula kwako!

Ufunguo · Jan 25, 2014

waltham said:
i cry for tanzania.wakati kila mtu africa uaja pamoja na kuondoa mipaka ya kiukoloni na kifra hawa ndugu ndio kuezeka kuta.haki yenu lakini muwe na mazoea ya kuingia uajani na kumenyana na wengine kifikira na kimawazo sio kulia kila wakati kaonewa,kafukuzwa na kadhalika.

Rudi shule!,

TEKNOLOJIA · Jan 25, 2014

Am dissappointed with all my fellow Tanzanians' comments who support our government stance on single visa territory issue.To be honest am not with this coward and irresponsible government on this issue of opting out,Let me tell you dudes,No one have ever made any actual progress in terms of economy while isolating oneself,I say no one.For any Country to make a vivid economic progress it needs to enter economic competition with other Nations.When you compete with others you will notice your strengths & weaknesses in an effort to make yourself even better in the park.Mr Sitta claims that the reason of rejecting the project is because Kenya have the best airport in the region so we will be losing a lot of revenues to them are absolutely ridiculous!I didn't expect a man of Sitta calibre to puke such simple reasons.I ask myself how weak Tanzanians have become to even fail to build our own biggest airport in the region?That is one of the advantages the competition will always bring about among the competitors.

Ukana Shilungo · Jan 25, 2014

TEKNOLOJIA said:
Am dissappointed with all my fellow Tanzanians' comments who support our government stance on single visa territory issue.To be honest am not with this coward and irresponsible government on this issue of opting out,Let me tell you dudes,No one have ever made any actual progress in terms of economy while isolating oneself,I say no one.For any Country to make a vivid economic progress it needs to enter economic competition with other Nations.When you compete with others you will notice your strengths & weaknesses in an effort to make yourself even better in the park.Mr Sitta claims that the reason of rejecting the project is because Kenya have the best airport in the region so we will be losing a lot of revenues to them are absolutely ridiculous!I didn't expect a man of Sitta calibre to puke such simple reasons.I ask myself how weak Tanzanians have become to even fail to build our own biggest airport in the region?That is one of the advantages the competition will always bring about among the competitors.

Narrow minded,dont you remember abou schengen treaty in europe,europian union have common visa,which enable them to travel at least in all countries with the common visa,but some countries had never signed schengen treaty for common visa,notable example is Britain,Iceland,Ireland ,but are still member of Europian union,in advance ,Britain also she rejected to use single currency, and decided to use Paun instead of EURO.
Something to note,In federation,or kind of union,or mutual agreement not necessary to sign everything,what to look how a we going to be benefit when we sign for common visa? if not,lets praise tz under Samuel sitta for this nmatter.

simplemind · Jan 25, 2014

Tanzania ifungue ubalozi North Korea mara moja. We have a lot in common, yes birds of same feathers flock together.

Tanzania rejects EAC single tourist visa plan!

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