Tourism in East Africa

In East Africa, Land-based tourism is a major economic activity which attracts millions of visitors to different sites across the region every year and generating millions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings. Sites such as the great National Parks of East, the Great Rift Valley of Eastern, Mount Rwenzori in Uganda, Mount Kenya safari packages in Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania are some of the major attractions. Mountains, wildlife, wetlands and coastal areas are also major tourist attractions in the region kenya safari vacations.

The above attractions contribute to the increase in the number of tourist arrival in the East African region every year. However, Ecotourism accounts for around 30 percent of total international tourism. In recognition of ecotourism’s growth potential, particularly for developing countries, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared 2002 the International Year of Ecotourism.Rwanda gorilla safari Many countries in Africa, such as Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, have invested heavily in ecotourism.

Tourism in East Africa include viewing gorillas which is the most exciting activity in the Great Lakes Region, game drive, Chimpanzee tracking, launch trips, birding activity, mountain-climbing in Eastern Africa, cultural tour, Rafting and many other activities. In the Great Lakes Region, for example, revenue from tourism based on gorilla viewing and other activities brings in about US$20 million to the region annually. gorilla safari rwanda , Thus, Tourism can serve as a powerful incentive to protect natural resources in East Africa. Since tourism is the first largest foreign exchange earner, a lot of development plans and strategy have been laid to ensure further development plans in the sector.

Tourism not only generates revenue to support conservation and management of natural environments but also generates many jobs. For example, hundreds of people live off the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, kenya safari tours where foreign tourists trek to view gorillas. It has been argued that tourism has larger multiplier effects, with revenue spreading from hotel accommodation, food and beverages, shopping, entertainment and transport to income of hotel staff, taxi operators, shopkeepers and suppliers of goods and services.

Despite the growth of tourism, opportunities for further investment and development are vast in the region for example, Marketing East Africa as one tourism destination, the introduction of one single east Africa visa, influstructures development and improvement plans like in kenya safari holidays (Rwanda, Uganda), favorable regulations for investment in the region mention but a few.

In addition, measures need to be adopted to ensure that the benefits associated with tourism are spread across society, and that those who are directly involved in conservation are rewarded. Meanwhile, for those planning to have the best of there Holiday vacations in East Africa, don’t look any further apart from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya family safari holidays , and Tanzania.