Burundi will host East Africa’s largest tourism expo from September 23 to 30 in the capital, Bujumbura, as the East African Community (EAC) continues to unify the region into one multi-attraction tourist destination.
Taking place at Cercle Hippique de Bujumbura, the second EAC Regional Tourism Expo is expected to attract over 250 exhibitors from 10 countries, 120 international and regional travel agents and buyers, and 2 500 trade visitors.
The theme, ‘Rethinking Tourism for Social Economic Development in the East African Community’, is in line with the United Nations World Tourism Day theme that encourages tourism destinations and stakeholders around the world to remodel tourism post-COVID.
The Expo will kick-off with a networking event, followed by three days of exhibitions, seminars and investment forums, and conclude with World Tourism Day Celebrations on September 27.
From September 27-30, hosted buyers, comprising international travel agents and travel trade partners, will be taken on familiarisation trips to different tourism sites in the Republic of Burundi.
Christophe Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in Charge of Productive and Social Sectors, said: “The upcoming Expo will undoubtedly play a very instrumental role in tourism recovery as it provides an opportunity for partner states to tell potential travellers from all over the world and within the region that all EAC Partner States are ready to receive them and they can indeed enjoy multi-destination tourism packages.
“We have noted that the tourism business is coming back and we are confident that by 2024 the region will have fully recovered. We have all it takes, including unmatched scenery, abundant wildlife, rich culture and opportunities for business to ensure that tourism in the region is vibrant.”
The first EAC Regional Tourism Expo was held in Arusha, Tanzania, last year, attracting 185 exhibitors and over 2 700 trade visitors.
The tourism sector is one of the most important areas of co-operation for EAC owing to its contribution to the economies of Partner States in terms of GDP (about 10%), export earnings (17%) and jobs (about 7%).
