DURBAN – Minister of Tourism, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu is leading a team of private tour operators and government agencies to the Travel Indaba 2018 Fair at the Durban International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.
The expo which is the largest African tourism fair kicked of today and will run till Wednesday, May 10.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the government agency the markets Uganda tourism, coordinated the private and public sector participation in the expo and Uganda is showcasing at stall DEC2A18.
On the sidelines of the expo, Minister Kamuntu has met with his South African counterpart, Mr. Derek Hanekom who heads the tourism ministry in the southern African nation.
The theme for this year’s show is “Tell the Story of African Success”.
At last year’s expo, the former South African President, Jacob Zuma shared his experience on visiting Uganda. In his story, he said he would not contain his sense of wonder at the great beauty of the country.
“I was there admiring the beauty of Uganda. And I couldn’t keep quiet and I said, this country is beautiful,” President Zuma said.
Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO for UTB says team Uganda will continue that story that has mesmerized travels through the times to the present day.
“Uganda is very culturally diverse, friendly and full of surprises, which provides for great stories. From culture to history to faith, we have it all,” says Asiimwe.
This year’s expo has attracted 1,060 exhibitors from 22 African countries and at least 1460 buyers (tour and travel operators) from around the world. Kamuntu is among the 7 African Ministers attending the expo which is being covered by over 500 media. UTB is one of the 12 tourism boards promoting their destinations.
“Our stories are very unique and pertinent to us. We Ugandans must tell our stories; stories of our experiences, our lives, our people,” Asiimwe said.
He adds that government is supporting the marketing efforts by providing more funding and making use of Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad.
“Our embassies have been tasked with promoting commercial diplomacy, under which tourism falls. We are working with Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo and her staff from Pretoria to promote Uganda at the Indaba 2018,” Asiimwe says.
H.E Barbara Nekesa Oundo is Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa.
