By Felix Oketcho
In a joint strategy to boost regional tourism figures Uganda
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership Kenya counterparts and tourism stakeholders have launched the 3rd Uganda, Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and. Business Exhibition.
Under the theme :The Uganda, Kenya Coast Tourism Partnership Promoting Job Creation inclusiveness and Sustainability the much anticipated events will take place from 8th November to 21st November.
There will be two days conference taking place on 13th to 14th November at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Golf tournament and familiarisation trip to Mombasa on 17th November at Pride Inn Hotel.
Paul Mugumya said Kenya is Uganda’s favourite source market for Uganda attracting 500 tourist annually. Uganda and Kenya coast have different unique tourism products which can complement one another.
“Whereas Uganda has mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, cultural and religious tourism and Kampala night life. The Kenya Coast has beautiful beaches, marine tourism and historical sites thus both countries can work together without necessarily competing to promote tourism,”Uganda Kenya Coast consulate Paul Mugumya said.
High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda Ambassador Joash Maangi
said this year’s event will provide an opportunity to create more awareness about the two destinations to enable tourism stakeholders especially tour operators and travel agents to sell products that they already know and have experienced.
“The number of tourists visiting from both destinations is steadily increasing. In 2023, the number of Ugandans visiting Kenya rose from 150,000 in 2022 to 201,620 according to annual tourusm sector performance report 2023 Kenya accounting for 10% of all toutist arrivals in Kenya in 2023 making Uganda second biggest source market for Kenya behind tge United States of America, ” Maangi Said.
Kenyan Consul General Ambassador Paul Mukumbya pledged to promote economic diplomacy and tourism promotion for both countries.
He said number of Kenyans visiting Uganda has increased in 2023 to 490,000 from previous 150,000 making Kenya the biggest source market for Uganda Tourism.
He explained that the main overall objective of the 3rd Uganda, Kenya Coast tourism conference, exhibition and fam trips is to grow the. Number of tourists arrivals in the two destinations.
According to him, the conference is expected to attract 500 guests and provide a platform for networking, learning and sharing, equip the key tourism players from Uganda and coastal region with first hand experience of key tourism attractions for them to better position to market these attractions.
Uganda Private Sector Foundation Chief Executive Officer Stephen Asiimwe congratulated Kenya Ambassador and High Commissioner for the joint promotion of Uganda, Kenya tourism initiative saying yhe region has attracted tremendous growth of both countries tourism industry.
He however advised Uganda private sector players to take advantage of Kenyas tourist potential to tap into tourism money.
“Take conference and business exhibition seriously. I see this as an opportunity for every one to make money. Once Kenyans taste something they spend more money immediately,” Asiimwe remarked.
He anticipates the region making more mobey from tourism during 2027,AFCON games.
” we expect avalanche of tourists to0 visit East Africa n9w that Ugands, Kenya and Tanzania will be hosting AFCON in 2027. My advise to member states is to fix poor infrastructure, pricing of air tickets and waive off taxes to boost regional tourism figures,”Asiimwe stressed.
Lets focus beyond conference and business exhibition but add religious tourism.
At the media launch Consul General Ambassador Paul Mukumbya and High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda Ambassador Joash Maangi
branded Kenya’s top tourism influencers with Explore Uganda Tourism brand at Uganda’s ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in Kampala.
