East Africa’s tourism is at a delicate crossroad in 2026. While confidence is returning, demand is evolving and governments are investing heavily in airports and infrastructure yet policy gaps, visa friction and reputational risks still threaten to slow momentum.
According to Richard Trillo, East Africa Manager at Expert Africa, the region still lags behind Southern African competitors such as South Africa and Botswana, particularly in ease of entry. While Botswana and South Africa offer largely visa-free travel, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda continue to require visas or electronic travel authorisation (eTA).
“In Kenya, the eTA is an airline boarding requirement and the pre-departure stress caused is a significant negative factor associated with a visit,” said Trillo, adding that complicated online platforms discourage some potential visitors before they even board a plane.
Zanzibar has added another layer of friction by mandating compulsory online travel insurance for all visitors – even those already insured. For Trillo, abolishing short-stay tourist visas would be “the single biggest enhancement” to East Africa’s attractiveness in 2026.
Politics and tourism
Political context also matters. Tanzania’s recent contentious elections have created uncertainty while Uganda’s political climate and strict anti-gay laws continue to deter a significant segment of international travellers.
Yet, despite these challenges, Trillo believes Kenya edges slightly ahead in 2026 not because of perfect governance but due to a dynamic private sector and a strong community conservancy model in places like the Maasai Mara and Laikipia, which continues to expand.
Infrastructure investment
Aviation will be one of the defining forces of East Africa’s tourism in 2026. Rather than rapid route expansion, airlines are expected to consolidate existing routes, improve reliability and focus on profitability.
Barry Clemens, Group CEO Hospitality EQ, said: “Secondary airports linked to tourism circuits such as Mombasa, Malindi, Kisumu, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Kigali and Entebbe will gain more importance as travellers increasingly prefer direct access to destinations rather than routing everything through capital cities.”
Tanzania is continuing work on modernising Kilimanjaro International Airport and expanding Zanzibar’s Terminal 3, making it easier for international carriers to land and for tourists to move smoothly between safari and beach experiences.
Rwanda is preparing for the completion of Bugesera International Airport – a flagship project expected to dramatically boost Kigali’s capacity as a regional hub and support high-end tourism in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest.
“Uganda, ahead of AFCON 2027, is accelerating investments in roads, stadiums, hospitality facilities and transport infrastructure around Kampala and Entebbe – developments that tourism stakeholders believe will have long-term benefits beyond the tournament,” added Clemens.
Accommodation inventory
East Africa’s accommodation landscape has been impacted by the increasing number of major international hotel brands entering the region.
Roberto Marini, Chairman of Ocean Beach Resort in Malindi, described the outlook as “extremely positive”, citing unprecedented support from the Kenya Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism.
“We are getting more competitive every day and the entry of major hotel chains will help grow the market significantly,” he said.
Product and marketing
Daniel Mbugua, Chairperson of the Tour Operators Society of Kenya, believes 2026 represents a “recovery-plus-growth” moment rather than a tourism boom.
According to Mbugua, East Africa is not simply bouncing back to pre-pandemic patterns but actively reshaping how it competes in the global market.
“While overall demand for wildlife, adventure and nature-based travel remains strong, the region’s performance will be uneven. Tanzania and Rwanda are expected to continue outperforming their neighbours due to clearer destination positioning, stronger state support and more consistent marketing. Tanzania’s globally recognised wildlife offering, paired with improved air access, keeps it firmly competitive while Rwanda’s reputation for safety, order and conservation continues to attract high-value, low-impact tourism,” he added.
Mbugua said Kenya will still command significant visitor numbers but risks losing repeat and high-spend travellers unless it refreshes its core products and tackles what he describes as “product fatigue” in traditional safari circuits.
Uganda, in his view, remains an underrated destination with growth dependent on better air connectivity, sharper branding and clearer communication to international markets.
He further predicted a move away from rushed itineraries towards slower, deeper experiences, longer stays, fewer lodges, more walking safaris, cultural engagement, wellness elements and stronger storytelling. Multi-country trips are set to rise, making regional cooperation and seamless travel more critical than ever.
Joseph Kithitu, Chairman of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents, is even more bullish about Kenya’s prospects in 2026, arguing that regional political dynamics could work in Nairobi’s favour. According to Kithitu, Kenya is likely to benefit as neighbouring countries navigate election seasons.
“This year we expect the tourism industry to grow, especially for Kenya, with our East African neighbours managing elections. Tanzania has just concluded its polls and is still settling down on the tourism front while Uganda is heading into elections this year. These political issues are likely to favour Kenya’s tourism sector,” Kithitu said.
He also welcomed the introduction of Kenya’s transit visa, noting that more travellers passing through Nairobi are likely to spend short stays in the country rather than simply connecting onward. At the same time, he pointed to increased flight activity into Nairobi and Mombasa as a clear signal of recovery.
“We have witnessed more airlines landing into the country and that momentum makes this a positive year for the tourism industry at large,” Kithitu added.
