KTF Embarks on Single Tourist Awareness Sensitization Program

Kenya Tourism Federation, the umbrella body of private sector tourism associations has embarked on a massive sensitization and awareness campaign on the use of National Identification (NID) and the Single Tourism Visa (STV) for travel across the East Africa Community member countries.

This initiative follows a research report that was released in June that indicated limited and poor information availability on STV for travelers and immigration officials.

The survey which was commissioned by the Kenya Tourism Federation in partnership with Trademark East Africa revealed that Information availability on the Single Tourist Visa and use of National   showed a response range of between very poor to just average with only 25 per cent of travellers and less than 15 per cent of immigration officials rating the current information as good.

KTF Ag. CEO Mrs. Susan Ongalo says it is with this in mind that Kenya Tourism Federation has embarked on an awareness campaign among immigration officers with a view of ensuring better information access.

Speaking in Kisumu during  the inaugural sensitization forum,  Ms Ongalo noted that while  majority  of  immigration  officials  were aware  of  the  existence  of  STV  and  countries involved,  67  per  cent  were  not  familiar  with  the  cost  of  STV  with  25  per  centshowing  lack  of  familiarity  with  regards  to  the  application  process.

“ It’s  also of concern to us that the  current  STV processing procedure has been rated as very poor by travellers and therefore the need to review and  advise  on necessary improvement,”  said Ms Ongalo.

Regarding  the  use  of  National  Identity  Cards  to  cross  borders,   the  report indicated there  is  low  level awareness with  a significant proportion of 17 per cent or 8 out  of  48  of  immigration  officials   not  being  aware  on  the  use  of  National Identity cards.

Trademark East Africa Kenya Country Director – Dr. Chris Kiptoo said  lack  of  awareness,  poor  information  availability  and  low institutional  capacity have  been identified as key challenges towards implementation of STV and NID.

Dr. Kiptoo noted that the survey recommended sensitization and training to enhance awareness amongst travel and tourism, trade and hospitality providers in major urban areas including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, with emphasis to the border points.

“Sensitization on information availability for STV and use of NID will be important in improving information access to travellers, airline providers, tour operators, immigration officers, among others,” said Dr Kiptoo.

The Single East Africa Tourist Visa and use of national IDs for travel was officially launched by Heads of State of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda in Kampala, on the 20^th February, 2014; completing one of the major integration projects jointly undertaken by  the  three countries.

The  initiative  is expected to ensure the three countries have a significant share of the registered 50  million  tourists  who  visit  the continent  annually;  as  well  as  stir  cross  border economic and tourism growth.

Expected participating forum stakeholders include members from Lake Victoria Tourism Association, Rural Tourism Network, Western Tourism Circuit Association ,Tourism County Executives from Kisumu, Vihiga, Migori, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Homabay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira Counties.

Immigration officers in Kisumu as well as those from the Buisia and Malaba border posts to ensure that both parties understand the advantages and opportunities that the use of the Single Tourist Visa and the Use of ID’s can impact the tourism industry in the region.