A delegation of Canadian tour operators, travel influencers, and media professionals has expressed profound admiration for Uganda’s exceptional tourism assets after completing an 11-day familiarisation tour across the country.
The group, comprising travel journalists, investors, and industry practitioners, shared their experiences during a debriefing session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing Uganda as an “eye-opening” destination that exceeded expectations.
The tour, organised as part of efforts to position Uganda more strongly in the Canadian market, took the visitors through key attractions including national parks, cultural sites, and tourism facilities.
Speaking at the debrief, Undersecretary Stephen Kyaterekera welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to growing Uganda’s tourism sector into a globally competitive industry.
He highlighted the country’s biodiversity, cultural heritage, and improving infrastructure as key drivers of growth, noting that tourist arrivals from Canada rose from 7,542 in 2022 to 9,688 in 2024. “While our missions abroad play an important role in promoting Uganda, it is even more powerful when visitors share their own firsthand experiences,” Kyaterekera said.
Members of the delegation praised Uganda’s landscapes, wildlife, and hospitality, describing interactions with local communities as authentic and memorable.
They also pointed to investment opportunities in tourism infrastructure, hospitality, and sustainable use of natural resources, emphasising that authentic storytelling and media exposure are critical to attracting more visitors.
Uganda currently records an average stay of 8.7 nights per international visitor, a figure officials say they aim to sustain or grow as new markets like Canada expand.
Allan Kajik, Chargé d’Affaires at the Uganda High Commission in Ottawa, outlined ongoing government investments to improve access to tourism sites.
These include the development of new air transport infrastructure, such as an international airport in Kidepo, Kabale Airport in Hoima, and upgrades to regional airfields across the country.
Kajik also reassured the delegation about safety, noting that Uganda remains a secure destination for tourists despite negative perceptions in some international narratives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further recognised the role of media and partnerships in promoting Uganda globally, as well as the contribution of over 20,000 Ugandans living in Canada in strengthening ties between the two countries.
Delegates were encouraged to act as ambassadors for Uganda by sharing their experiences within their networks and markets. The engagement concluded with a commitment from the Canadian operators to actively market Uganda across Canada and North America, with a target of doubling annual arrivals to over 20,000 by 2028.
The familiarisation tour was coordinated by the Uganda High Commission in Ottawa as part of the government’s broader economic diplomacy strategy, which prioritises tourism as a key sector for driving growth and attracting investment.
