Tourism in East Africa after COVID-19
Michael Leonard Douglas
Shift From International To Local Tourism
East Africa is famed for its diverse and unique tourist attractions. Whether seeking beautiful scenery or incredible wildlife East Africa has it. In Kenya, where I’m based, tourism accounts for around 9% of its GDP with an overwhelming 10% of the population solely relying on tourism for their daily bread (Bah & Stanford, 2020). With the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions cut off most international tourism to the continent. Most countries are currently relying on domestic tourism. The GDP has plummeted. The tourism industry is experiencing serious job losses.
Tanzania’s Measures
In Tanzania, the government adopted a different strategy that would end up increasing their GDP. The country was among the first in the world to open its borders and economy. The country’s President, John Magufuli, resisted the push to lock down. On May 18th, 2020, Magufuli opened Tanzania to international flight. As a tourism hub and with other major East African tourist destinations under lock down, Tanzania capitalized on the opportunity and encouraged international visitors.
Tanzania Playing It Differently
Another measure that Tanzania’s President adopted was to abolish the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement and replace it with a simple temperature check. However, tourists are guaranteed safety with the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which identifies, beforehand, passengers from high-risk regions.
The situation in Rwanda and Kenya
Rwanda and Kenya followed suit and lifted the ban on international flights to help revive the travel sector. In Kenya, the international flight resumption applied to only 11 countries that were considered ‘safe’, because of the measures that they had adopted to contain the virus. Rwanda, on the other hand, opened its borders to sell its agenda as the region’s greatest conferencing hub.
Strategies Needed
For most of the East African countries, the greatest task will be to ensure that any surges in COVID-19 infections are contained. While Kenya and Rwanda have proved they can and manage epidemic infections. Tanzania is instituting mechanisms to reassure its visitors. Tourists don’t want to travel or visit a tourist destination without safety guarantees.
Mitigating COVID-19 Risks in Tourism
To revive the tourism sector, the East African nations need to find measures to mitigate risks internally, as well as within the region. Aside from safety, there is a need to boost the economies and place guidelines to support the tourism sector. Tanzania adopted a model to guarantee safety to both staff and guests through newly developed programs, including managing international flights. There are also standard managing procedures for all flights that are cleaned and disinfected upon arrival, display of COVID-free zones, and having a Liaison Officer assigned to each tourist facility.
Carving a Pathway Forward
Tanzania is at the forefront of trying save the East African tourist industry. Some of the above mentioned measures may only apply to Tanzania, but they seem to work because of the increasing number of visitors to the country. Other East African countries need to find working strategies that will increase visitor confidence. Despite the 75% loss in tourism revenue, Tanzania is optimistic about the future. Projections predict an increase in revenue in the 3 and 4 quarters. The East African region will bounce back, but it will not be easy. Part of the battle is finding the right strategies that will work to reduce COVID-19 infection rates.
References
Maina, K. (2020). “Kenya’s tourism sector and the impact of Covid-19 on the industry.”
The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/commentary/2020-06-09-kenyas-tourism-sector-and-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the–industry/
Mdoe, G. (2020). “Tanzania tourism sector reviving post covid-19.” The Exchange.
Retrieved from https://theexchange.africa/tourism-and-wildlife/tanzania-tourism-sector-reviving-post-covid-19/
