Tough times ahead for EA tourism as insecurity scares visitors away

East African countries face decreased growth in tourism as costly and cumbersome visa processes and insecurity turn visitors to other emerging destinations in Africa.

A new report by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) states that if the region tackles rising insecurity and lengthy visa processes, the bloc could more than double the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP.

This year, Kenya and Burundi are expected to trail behind their EA neighbours in the growth of tourism earnings and contribution to the economy.

The WTTC projects that Uganda’s sector contribution to GDP will grow the most at 6.4 per cent; in 2013 it was Ush5,495 billion ($2.1 billion).

Tanzania follows at 4.3 per cent; in 2013, contribution to GDP was Tsh6,899.5 billion ($4.2 billion), and Rwanda is set to grow at 4 per cent; GDP contribution was Rwf181.5 billion ($266.9 million) in 2013.

Kenya and Burundi are set to grow at a 3.1 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively; last year’s GDP contribution was Ksh462.8 billion ($5.4 billion) in Kenya and BiF182.4 billion ($118,000) in Burundi.

Original Author: SCOLA KAMAU
Source: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/-/2560/2271804/-/5mbn38/-/index.html