Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital city is set to host the 2nd EAC Regional Tourism EXPO (EARTE’22). The expo is expected to run from 23rd – 30th September, 2022.
According to KBC, the main objective of the EXPO is to promote EAC as a single tourism destination, provide a platform for tourism service providers’ business to business (B2B) engagements, create awareness on tourism investment opportunities and address the challenges affecting the tourism and wildlife sectors in the region.
The theme for the 2022 EXPO is “Rethinking Tourism for Social Economic Development in the East African Community “ that resonates with the United Nations World Tourism Day theme that provoke tourism destinations and stakeholders around the world to remodel tourism following the devastating impact of COVID-19 in the Sector. The EXPO will kick-off with registration of Exhibitors and a networking event on 23rd September 2022 followed by three days of Exhibitions, Seminars and Investment Forum from 24th – 26th September, 2022 at Cercle Hippique de Bujumbura grounds and World Tourism Day Celebrations on 27th September, 2022.
The hosted buyers comprising international travel agents and travel trade partners will be taken on familiarization trips to different tourism sites in the Republic of Burundi from 27th – 30th September, 2022. Speaking ahead of the EXPO, Christophe Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in Charge of Productive and Social Sectors said that there are strong signs of tourism recovery in all the EAC Partner States.
“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”, added Bazivamo. He further noted that “the upcoming EXPO will undoubtedly play a very instrumental role in tourism recovery as it provides an opportunity for Partner States to tell potential travelers 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”
In addition, the EAC official disclosed that the preparations by the Burundi National Organizing Committee with support from the EAC Secretariat and Regional Steering Committee are in high gear and the Government of the Republic of Burundi is really committed to ensure that the 2nd EXPO is held successfully.” “Bazivamo encouraged all tourism service providers in EAC to take advantage of the EXPO to showcase their offerings and engage with buyers from the region as well as from around the world”.
The 2022 EXPO is expected to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 10 countries, 120 international and regional travel agents and buyers as well as 2500 trade visitors.
The 1st EAC Regional Tourism EXPO was held from 9th to 11th October, 2021 in Arusha, Tanzania. It attracted over 2,000 visitors from across the globe and 100 exhibitors confirming their participation at the TGT grounds in Arusha.
The expo was aimed at creating awareness on tourism investment opportunities amid the pandemic and promote EAC as a single tourism destination.
