See also:
» 21.02.2011 - Huge Uganda election funding questioned
» 22.09.2010 - US fundamentalists "fight proxy war" in Uganda, Rwanda
» 07.06.2010 - Sudan protests Uganda non-invitation of al-Bashir
» 25.03.2010 - SA’s business eyeing oil in Uganda
» 02.03.2010 - Reject anti-gay bill - activists
» 01.03.2010 - Experts urge Uganda to drop anti-homosexuality bill
» 02.02.2010 - Scores slaughtered by rebels in DRC
» 26.01.2010 - US mission to address E/Africa human rights before AU Summit











China wholesale online through DHgate.com


Houlihan's coupons


Finn autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden på Verdensmat.no:
Gazpacho Børek Kartoffelsalat Taboulé Gulasj Albóndigas Cevapi Rougaille Japrak sarma Zwiebelbrot Klopse Giouvetsi Paella Pljeskavica Pica pau Pulpo a la gallega Flammkuchen Langosj Tapenade Chatsjapuri Pasulj Lassi Kartoffelpuffer Tortilla Raznjici Knödel Lentejas Bœuf bourguignon Korianderchutney Brenneslesuppe Proia Sæbsi kavurma Sardinske calamares


Autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden finner du på Verdensmat.no:
Réunion Portugal Aserbajdsjan Serbia Tyskland Seychellene Bosnia Spania Libanon Belgia India Kroatia Hellas Italia Ungarn Komorene Georgia Mauritius Østerrike Romania Frankrike



Politics | Economy - Development | Travel - Leisure

East African tourism still cracks

afrol News, 30 June - Several bottlenecks have continued to hinder the growth of tourism in East Africa, delegates to the First East African Investment Conference in Rwanda were told.

Despite boasting some of the world's leading tourists attractions, tourism in the region has not been moving fast. The Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre Emmanuel ole Naiko even heightened the fears when he said East Africa "has a long way to go to compete with other regions in attracting tourists."

He said the region's tourism industry is still dogged by poor service provisions, prohibitive costs of doing business, immigration barriers and poor infrastructure.

"The region is well known for several wildlife attractions, mountain climbing and beaches, but the quality of services to tourists is not yet up to the required standard," he said, revealing that many reputable international firms keen on investing in the region's tourist industry.

"But some of them have abandoned their plans because the cost of doing business in East Africa still remains high," he said.

An earlier Work Bank survey also cited East Africa's high cost of business compounded by major barriers that scare off potential investors. The lack of free movement of the East African Community member states' citizens and goods has also taken its negative toll on regional trade. Citizens of the five EAC member states - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi - require a visa to enter member states.

Mr Naiko said the poor infrastructure and "general poor state of most roads" also hinder growth in the region's tourism sector.

A total of 3,310,065 tourists visited the East Africa last year. Kenya, the region's biggest economy got 2,001,0034, Tanzania 719,031, 550,000 while Rwanda recorded 40,000. The country with a fast growing economy whose main tourist attractions include the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Hills, recorded 26,000 visits in 2004.

Tourism in Burundi is also picking up significantly, though statistics on last year's tourists arrivals are yet to be made public. The country recorded 133,000 and 148,000 in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

While Tanzania targets to hit a million tourists arrivals in 2010, Rwanda is adjusting itself to record 50,000 tourists in 2008. If Tanzania's target succeeds, the industry would add an extra US $1.7 billion in 2010.


- Create an e-mail alert for Uganda news
- Create an e-mail alert for Tanzania news
- Create an e-mail alert for Rwanda news
- Create an e-mail alert for Kenya news
- Create an e-mail alert for East Africa news
- Create an e-mail alert for Burundi news
- Create an e-mail alert for Politics news
- Create an e-mail alert for Economy - Development news
- Create an e-mail alert for Travel - Leisure news


 
    Printable version


On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda
Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector

afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding"

afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
Guinea
Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea

afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws

afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia plans Africa's biggest dam

afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com