Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is hosting its first roadshow in Kenya, offering destination training and showcasing a variety of tourism products to Kenyan tour operators
Uganda Tourism hosts the roadshow in Kenya Uganda to boost intra Africa tourism between the two East African countries with a focus on encouraging more tourists from Kenya to explore the natural based, boat tours & water Adventure, leisure travel, business travel and cultural attractions that Uganda has to offer.
The Uganda roadshow in Kenya comes in the wake of an intensified campaign by Uganda Tourism Board to reposition Uganda – The Pearl of Africa’ as a leading tourism destination in Africa under a new brand dubbed “Explore Uganda”.
To kick off the activities, Uganda Tourism Board has launched a roadshow at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23rd to 25th May 2022, in a bid to increase tourist arrivals from Kenya by 50% in 2023.
Kenya is a key tourism source market making up almost half of the African arrivals to Uganda.
With Kenya’s developed travel trade sector, coupled with its connectivity to the rest of the world, Uganda Travel Trade partners will bank on the roadshow to secure partnerships that increase tourists to Uganda from Kenya.
Over 278 operators from Kenya will create business linkages with 35 specialists from Uganda.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E Evans Aryabaha, hailed the tourism industry as a powerful catalyst that will enhance the bilateral and cultural relations between the two countries.
On her part, Ms. Claire Mugabi, Uganda Tourism Board Marketing Manager said that Kenya is the biggest source market of tourists in Uganda, and outlined future plans to increase awareness of Uganda as a destination that offers an adventure of a lifetime.
“Our refreshed destination brand identity captures the essence of the Pearl of Africa with its mesmerizing experiences catering to the needs of diverse travellers with its endemic and endangered flora and fauna, pleasant year-round weather, punctuated by unique scenery,” she added.
Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) Chair Mr. Fred Odek emphasized the need for joint tourism promotional activities by Kenya and Uganda tourism stakeholders.
“We see a great opportunity for outbound tourism to the East African Community (EAC) countries to get more tourists to Kenya and simultaneously send tourists from Kenya to other countries in the region.
Uganda will benefit significantly owing to its geographical proximity and long history of good relations with Kenya,” said Mr. Odek.
Over 278 Kenya tourism specialist and travel agents are expected to participate in the Uganda roadshow that is aimed at enhancing Destination Uganda’s presence in the Kenyan market.
The event will also boost business-to-business opportunities while strengthening Explore Uganda brand in Kenya.
The highlights of the three-day roadshow include Pearl of Africa brand launch in Kenya, direct engagements with key tourism trade partners, government representatives and travel media.
Before the pandemic, Uganda received over 1.5 million tourists in 2019 and registered over 512,000 travellers in 2020.
However, Uganda’s tourism industry is poised for recovery with renewed emphasis on intra-African travel market as a key marketing strategy.
In 2019, the Tourism sector in Uganda contributed 7.7% of country’s GDP and over 667,000 jobs.
58% of the Uganda tourism workforce is composed of women.
Uganda Tourism data from 2019 shows the top three Africa source markets for Uganda in included;
Rwanda (32%)
Kenya (24%)
and Tanzania at 6%.
Uganda President, H.E Yoweri Museveni described the new brand Explore Uganda, Pearl of Africa as a key strategy to re-imagine Uganda’s tourism sector and position the country as a competitive international travel destination.
ABOUT UGANDA TOURISM BOARD
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is a statutory organization established in 1994 mandated to promote and market Uganda domestically, across the region and internationally, promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading and classification, promote tourism investment, support and act as liaison for the private sector in tourism development.
The broader goals of the Board are to increase the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP; enhance Uganda’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination; and increase Uganda’s share of Africa’s and World tourism market.
Uganda Tourism Board aims to create inclusive opportunities for the tourism sector through market transformation.
For more information about Uganda Tourism hosts roadshow in Kenya and information on Uganda, visit Explore Uganda website here: www.exploreuganda.com
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