By Luke Anami
The August report titled "EABC Studies on Impact of
Covid-19 on Selected Sectors: Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Light
Manufacturing Sector and Agriculture & Food Security" found that 4.2
million foreign tourists were not able to travel to their preferred East
African Community destinations.
The impact has also been felt across affiliated industries
and other sectors of the economy. Tourism is one of the leading
foreign-exchange earners and fastest-growing sectors in the EAC.
"It is estimated that tourism jobs in the region
dropped from about 4.1 million to 2.2 million," said John Bosco Kalisa,
EABC chief executive officer, adding, "Visitors to national parks declined
significantly by about 65 percent and, therefore, negatively affected wildlife
conservation efforts in the region."
The majority of the tourists originate from Europe, the USA
and parts of Asia.
The study also shows that bed occupancy in hotels
significantly dropped during the pandemic.
"The study found that hotels in the region registered
average occupancy rates of below 30," said Mr Kalisa.
The study was carried out by the EABC with support from the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the African Economic Research.
The study said 26.5 percent of businesses lost their entire
projected revenues during the pandemic period; 44 percent lost 75 percent; 17.6
percent lost 50 percent of their projected revenues.
The private sector wants governments to create affordable
loan schemes to support the tourist sector. The study also recommends a review
of the tourism regulatory framework to accommodate working from home and use of
digital platforms among others.