Dodoma. Tanzania and other members of the East African Community are still assessing their readiness to adopt a single tourist visa as they face technical challenges.
Tabling estimates for the 2012/13 budget, the minister for East African Cooperation, Mr Samuel Sitta, said there were challenges facing the implementation of the proposed visa system which should be addressed first.
He named the challenges as collection and distribution of revenue, security and economic as well as technological infrastructure.
“These challenges need to be seriously addressed and specific strategies put in place,” said Mr Sitta.
According to the minister, his docket in collaboration with relevant ministries were currently undertaking an internal study to determine what would be needed for Tanzania to adopt the proposed single tourist visa and to prepare accordingly.
According to the minister, his docket in collaboration with relevant ministries were currently undertaking an internal study to determine what would be needed for Tanzania to adopt the proposed single tourist visa and to prepare accordingly.
The Council of Ministers of the EAC urged partner states to take steps towards promoting the region as a single tourist destination.
With a single visa, tourists will pay only once at the entrance points but end up visiting member states of their choice hence necessitating the need for a proper revenue-sharing formula.
However, there are also reports that at times up to 90 per cent of foreign tourists visiting the region land in Kenya before proceeding to attractive sites elsewhere in the region.
With a single visa, tourists will pay only once at the entrance points but end up visiting member states of their choice hence necessitating the need for a proper revenue-sharing formula.
However, there are also reports that at times up to 90 per cent of foreign tourists visiting the region land in Kenya before proceeding to attractive sites elsewhere in the region.
The opposition camp urged the government to be careful and advertise its tourist destination to increase its foreign earnings from tourism.
Presenting her camp’s report, Ms Raya Ibrahim (Special Seats – Chadema) warned the government to be careful with its neighbours as there could be possible sabotage of Mount Kilimanjaro especially by Kenya.
“Kenya is constructing an airport at Taveta – near Mt Kilimanjaro – and this may attract visitors though the Kenyan side,” she said.
Tourism is Tanzania’s second foreign exchange earner after Gold.
In the year ending April 2012 for example, tourism brought Tanzania $1.5 million while Gold surged to about $2.3 million.
Presenting her camp’s report, Ms Raya Ibrahim (Special Seats – Chadema) warned the government to be careful with its neighbours as there could be possible sabotage of Mount Kilimanjaro especially by Kenya.
“Kenya is constructing an airport at Taveta – near Mt Kilimanjaro – and this may attract visitors though the Kenyan side,” she said.
Tourism is Tanzania’s second foreign exchange earner after Gold.
In the year ending April 2012 for example, tourism brought Tanzania $1.5 million while Gold surged to about $2.3 million.
Source: The Citizen
Tanzanian Shilling Exchange Rate