Kenyans travelling into Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries may soon pay less for tourist taxes incured in member states. According to COMESA Business Council Secretary General, Trust Chikohora, the oragnisation is working on regional policies that will allow tax levies for packages carried by tourists from member states.

Delegates and representatives will be meeting between the 22^nd and the 23^rd of August 2012 to discuss shaping the future of tourism in the region.

It will serve as a platform to address the implementation of a common Visa which would subsidize the cost of processing fees for member states. This would mean less travelling costs for anyone who belongs to any one of the listed countries.

The delegates, among whom include Kenya Tourist Board CEO, Kitili Mbathi and Kenya Tourism Federation CEO, Agatha Juma; will also discuss Visa extensions for legitimate projects done within COMESA countries.

There are currently 19 countries registered under the COMESA initiative. They include Kenya, Burundi, Seychelles, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Egypt and Uganda among others. A report by ACTRAV states that the organization has seen a 79.8% growth in its combined Gross Domestic Product from USD 90 billion since it was formed in 1994 to USD 447 billion in 2011.