Mombasa:Tourism stakeholders have urged East African Community (EAC) partner states to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and facilitate seamless cross-border travel as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania gear up to jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to Kenya News Agency, Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki, highlighted these concerns during the fifth Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit in Mombasa. She emphasized the need to address high airfares, unreliable services, and poor connectivity, which impede tourism growth and restrict the movement of people across the region.
Nakawuki pointed out that the cost of air travel within East Africa is comparable to traveling to destinations like Paris, making it unaffordable for many residents. She advocated for the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Mombasa to Kampala and the use of water transport to boost tourist numbers.
The Minister also called for the removal of travel restrictions within the region, citing non-tariff barriers that East Africans face at border crossings. She pushed for Africa to be promoted as a single tourism destination and supported the introduction of a single tourism visa for the continent.
Nakawuki noted that some tourists had canceled trips to Kenya due to concerns over an Ebola case, despite the country’s effective handling of the situation. She emphasized the importance of integration and marketing East Africa as a unified tourism destination.
Regarding the upcoming AFCON 2027, Nakawuki mentioned that the host countries had lifted travel restrictions to facilitate the movement of football fans. She urged the nations to use the event to highlight their broader tourism offerings and boost local economies.
The Minister also cautioned against political polarization in Kenya as the 2027 General Election approaches, warning that it could destabilize the country and harm the economy. She reiterated that Kenya and Uganda are collaborating to enhance the regional tourism sector.
The summit, themed ‘Unlocking Tourism Opportunities Resolving Policy Bottlenecks through Technology, Youth and Seamless Mobility across East Africa,’ underscored the need for policy relaxation to support cross-border travel.
Data from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) revealed a 16% increase in Ugandan arrivals to Kenya from 2024 to 2025, while the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) reported an 11% rise in Kenyan visitors to Uganda during the same period. Both countries recorded strong tourism earnings, with Kenya targeting 300,000 arrivals from Uganda in 2026.
