In a bid to popularized East African tourism potential, Uganda and Kenya have agreed to co-host the 4th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition from Oct. 27 to 28 at the Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi, Kenya.
Themed “Leveraging Youth Innovation and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism,”the two countries signed Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation on July 30.
In a statement Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, Uganda’s Consul-General in Mombasa, called for collaboration on tourism promotion and marketing to enhance global visibility while reinforcing the social and economic ties of our region.
Meanwhile Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, Chief of Protocol at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted tourism’s importance to Uganda’s economic agenda. He said the government aims to grow tourism revenue from $2 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year to $50 billion by 2039-2040.
According to him,Tourism between the two nations is robust, with 466,000 Kenyans visiting Uganda and 225,559 Ugandans traveling to Kenya in 2024.
He fur ther noted that since 2022, the Uganda Consulate in Mombasa has championed the Uganda-Kenya Coast Partnership, by holding conferences in Mombasa, Diani and Kampala.
Shakira Rahim Lamar, Head of Public Relations at Uganda Airlines, praised the longevity of the conference, saying that by fostering collaboration and innovation, the event strengthens the regional tourism ecosystem.
Stephen Asiimwe, CEO of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda emphasized the role of youth as innovators and storytellers in the industry.
“Empowering them to reimagine tourism is an investment in sustainability,” he said.
Herbert Mwachiro of Kilifi County, Kenya, underscored the complementary nature of the two nations’ tourism offerings—Uganda’s wildlife and cultural experiences and Kilifi’s beaches—while promoting sustainable practices.
Ambassador Suleiman Ibrahim Roba, the Deputy High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda, expressed appreciation for the organizers, noting the conference would strengthen regional relations.