East African Community (EAC) member states are seeking to harmonise tourism regulations, licensing requirements and service standards to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and attract more international visitors and investment.
The move is expected to make it easier for tourism operators to work across borders while positioning East Africa as a single destination in the global market.
The resolutions were reached at the 13th meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management in Arusha on Thursday, October 15, 2026, which brought together ministers from member states.
The meeting also called for stronger regional cooperation in sustainable tourism, improved service quality and better economic returns from the region’s tourism and wildlife resources.
For tourism businesses, common standards could help reduce regulatory differences between countries, while coordinated marketing could strengthen the region’s appeal to visitors seeking multi-country travel experiences.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Zanzibar’s Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Suleiman Masoud Makame, said the region’s tourism potential could not be fully realised through natural attractions alone.
He said the quality of services, visitors’ experiences and cooperation among member states were equally important in building East Africa’s position in the international tourism market.
“The success of the tourism sector does not depend solely on the attractiveness of the resources available in the EAC, but also on the quality of services provided, the experiences visitors receive and cooperation among member states in promoting East Africa as one tourism destination,” he said.
Mr Makame said the region’s tourism resources should be used to attract investment, create jobs, expand trade and increase foreign exchange earnings.
He added that stronger regional coordination would help member states improve their competitiveness while ensuring tourism contributed to inclusive economic growth.
The push for harmonised standards comes as East African countries seek to maximise the economic value of their wildlife, national parks, beaches and cultural heritage.
A more coordinated approach could create opportunities for tour operators, hotels, transport providers and other tourism-related businesses to develop packages spanning several countries, potentially extending visitors’ stays and spreading tourism spending across the region.
However, the benefits will depend on how effectively member states implement the agreed measures and align their national systems.
On implementation, delegates called on member states to speed up the execution of decisions and directives adopted at previous EAC meetings, saying regional commitments needed to produce measurable results.
The call highlights the importance of translating agreements into practical changes that businesses and visitors can experience, including more consistent service standards and closer cooperation in tourism promotion and wildlife management.
Tanzania’s delegation was led by Mr Makame and included Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Hassan Chande, Zanzibar’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Juma Hassan Thabit, and senior officials from government ministries and institutions.
The meeting’s resolutions are intended to strengthen regional cooperation and increase the contribution of tourism to employment, investment and economic growth across the EAC.