Tanzania and Burundi will market their tourist attractions individually, rather than under the joint initiative of the East African Community (EAC).
The Eighth Sectoral Ministerial Meeting, held in Arusha, Tanzania, last week agreed to amend the EAC Tourism and Wildlife Protocol in favour of the two countries, reports The East African.
Under the protocol, which was ratified seven years ago, partner states agreed to market and sell the region as a single tourist destination, while ensuring the sustainable use of wildlife and other tourist attractions.
However, due to Tanzania constantly pushing for the changes, the protocol was not implemented.
During the meeting, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda maintained their positions that the protocol should be left unchanged.
The Ministerial meeting was attended by Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hamisi Kigwangala, as well as Uganda’s Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Ephraim Kamuntu and other representatives from Rwanda, Kenya and Burundi.
Dr Kigwangala, during the meeting, said Tanzania was seeking changes in the protocol to safeguard its tourist attractions. “At 32%, Tanzania has set aside a large portion of its land for wildlife conservation and nature tourism, while Kenya has set aside only 7%,” reports The East African.
The EAC Treaty, in section 115 (1-3) and 116, states that the bloc can establish policies, strategies and other ways to promote tourism, while each country remains the key custodian and administrator of all wildlife and tourism activities within its borders.
According to The East African, Sirili Akko, Executive Secretary of the Tanzanian Association of Tour Operators, said: “We agree that Tanzania should market some of its tourist attractions under its own banner but we still look forward to regional marketing strategies under the East African banner.”
