Eac Reveals Plans For Next Stage Of Joint Marketing

The East African Community EAC is intensifying efforts to position the region as a leading global tourism destination through collaborative marketing. This follows the decision to take a joint stand at ITB Berlin this year, representing the region as a single tourism destination. It is the first step in a broader campaign aimed at improving cross-border travel, marketing and investment to attract international and other African visitors.

Stakeholders across the seven-member bloc Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will showcase the diverse attractions of the EAC under the brand Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe.

Beyond ITB Berlin, other events planned for this year include the EAC Regional Tourism Expo, which will have exhibitions, speed networking, business-to-business meetings and seminars on various tourism and wildlife sub-themes. The expo has, so far, been hosted by Tanzania, Burundi and Kenya, says Simon Kiarie , Head of the EAC Secretariats Tourism and Wildlife Department.

Alongside tourism marketing, the EAC is strengthening conservation efforts. The newly adopted Regional Wildlife Conservation and Management Policy aims to harmonise conservation efforts across member states to ensure sustainable management of wildlife resources.

It has a major thrust on transboundary wildlife conservation. Additionally, the EAC, in collaboration with the European Union and the International Union for Conservation of Nature plans to operationalise the Transboundary Wildlife Conservation Areas Network. This network will facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in key transboundary landscapes and promote effective management and conservation efforts. The initiative will include developing and promoting multi-country tourism products and packages aligned with the EAC tourism brand, says Kiarie.