Tourism governance in the new normal: lessons for Eastern Africa

While destinations in Eastern Africa embrace tourism as an opportunity for economic development, the sector encounters a myriad of setbacks. Amidst the complexities of the contemporary geopolitical and economic landscape in the region, the imperative for a restructured governance framework becomes evident. This contemporary policy debate paper explores the complexities of tourism governance juxtaposed against the backdrop of the formidable challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainability concerns. The paper puts forward a proposal for an alternative tourism governance model for Eastern Africa, which not only addresses the immediate challenges but also incorporates indigenous knowledge and embraces a holistic perspective that intertwines regional integration and actionable sustainable practices in the new normal.