Title
Responses and Impacts of COVID-19 on East Africa’s Tourism Industry
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all economies and life support systems world-wide. Owing to the pandemic's unpredictable nature, experts and policymakers struggle to find a headway to slow infections and further economic deterioration. The purpose of this study is to assess East African Community (EAC) states’ early responses and the pandemic’s impacts on the tourism industry. Data were collected through a review of secondary data, including academic and media reports. Special attention was paid to respective policy responses during the early stages of the pandemic outbreak. Findings show that Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda employed more robust measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, whereas Tanzania and Burundi resorted to censorship and protectionism. The EAC should quickly learn from the current crisis and devise strategies to handle future shocks to the tourism-system. The states should prioritize economic diversification, retraining of the workforce, global engagement, and collaborative management.
Department(s)
Kinesiology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720-188
Keywords
COVID-19, Tourism, pandemics, crisis management, East African Community
Publication Date
12-30-2021
Recommended Citation
Ezra, Peter M., Bernard M. Kitheka, Edwin Sabuhoro, Geoffrey K. Riungu, Agnes Sirima, and Annah K. Amani. "Responses and Impacts of COVID-19 on East Africa’s Tourism Industry." (2021).
Journal Title
African Journal of Hospitality,Tourism and Leisure
