Destination East Africa
In fulfilling one of the EAC’s strategic interventions identified as key to sector growth, Partner States have embraced a joint marketing effort that seeks to sell the East African region as a single tourist destination.

In addition to attracting visitors from outside the EAC, Destination East Africa is an initiative that seeks to encourage intra-regional tourism by providing incentives for East Africans, such as having uniform rates apply for nationals of EAC Partner States accessing tourism facilities (hotels, parks etc) within the region.

Additionally, as part of this initiative, the Community ensures the production and distribution of promotional materials as a means of marketing the region. These promotional materials include items such as DVDs, brochures and key holders.

EATWCA
Following the establishment of the East African Tourism and Wildlife Coordination Agency (EATWCA) and the completion of its draft operational manual, a stakeholder consultation process in Partner States is ongoing to enable the finalisation of the agency’s operational documents.

Classification of Tourism Facilities
The EAC has embarked on a classification exercise for hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities in the region. The exercise, which is at different stages of progress in various cities/towns in East Africa, has registered successes already, some of which are highlighted below;

• Pre-testing exercises of the criteria in Kampala and Arusha completed

• Detailed curriculum for assessors under development but stop-gap programme to meet immediate needs is complete

• Grading certificates and plaques approved