A delegation of tour operators from Kenya arrived in the country Wednesday for a five-day trip to experience Uganda’s tourism diversity.
The visitors will engage with tour operators on joint packages and conclude on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) and Uganda Tourism Association (UTA).
Uganda’s Consulate General in Mombasa, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, secured a partnership with KCTA to organise the first Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition running from November 20th to 28th.
UTA President, Herbert Byaruhanga, last week led a delegation from the Tourism sector to Mombasa to experience the products the coast offers.
While receiving the Kenyan delegation on its reciprocal visit at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, Byarauhanga said this conversation was started by Ambassador Mukubya. “His dream is being achieved.”
On his part, Victor. M. Shitakha, the Chairman of KCTA, said Kenya and Uganda can work together to build the tourism industry.
“Thank you for the lovely welcome and lovely food. The Kenyan team is really happy,” he stated, adding, “We are not competing but complimenting each other. Let us work together to make this the best tourism destination.”
Shakila Rahim Lamar, the Head of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Airlines, called the arrangement “a very good thing” and pledged Uganda Airlines’ support.
The ambassador informed her of a request by tour operators who asked that the airline comes up with a specific booking rate for tour operators when getting tourists in and out of Entebbe international airport.
Dr Julius Byaruhanga, the Director of Policy and Business at the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), expressed his gratitude to the ambassador for bringing the Kenyan delegation to promote tourism.
“Our pride is in seeing you doing business. Tourism is one of the sectors that we are putting in much effort because of its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
He said PSFU and the Mastercard Foundation contributed to the engagement to promote tourism regionally and internationally.
“Tourism is one of the biggest youth employers. We want to promote Uganda as one of the best tourist destinations. There is nothing you can’t find in our region (East Africa).”
Dorcus Rukundo Twesigomwe, the Business Development Manager at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), said Uganda is nature-tourism based.
“Uganda is greener and has cooler weather than where you are coming from. God created us like that to complement each other,” she told the Kenyan team, emphasising the synergy.
“As UWA, we depend on tourism and people who can market our National Parks. UWA has made an offer…each one of you will see the gorillas and chimpanzees and have access to any National Park of your choice.”
“When you spend a day with gorillas, your life will change tremendously. Go and enjoy the National Parks. Take a boat cruise and see the different bird species at Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.”
She said if Uganda and the Kenyan coast can be marketed together, it would be a good experience. “Uganda is beautiful. It is home to wildlife and happy people. By the time you leave the country, you will be happier.”
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Marketing Specialist, Herman Olimi, said announced the upcoming “Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2023” which will be held at Sheraton Kampala during the World Tourism Day celebration.
The sixth POATE will take place from February 8th to 11th, 2023.
While addressing the guests, Amb Mukumbya said Uganda must position itself to reap from this opportunity, benefit from the experience of the tour operators at the coast and build meaningful partnerships.
He lauded the Kenyan side for the warm reception accorded to the Ugandan delegation that visited the coast last week. “You kept us busy and engaged.”
“It is your turn now to experience our products instead of googling them. Meet and engage the partners to work with to promote tourism. Let us take advantage of this opportunity.”
From Fairway hotel, the delegation visited the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo and later rendezvoused at Ndere Centre in Kisaasi where they experience Uganda’s culture.
Partnerships
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Association of Tour Operators to market both tourism markets as one unit.
It’s hoped that this will aid tourism product development, which will increase the bargaining power of the East African tourism block on the international tourism market.
On Thursday, November 24, 2022, Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) Chairlady, Susan Muhwezi, signed an MOU with UTB CEO, Lily Ajarova, detailing the areas of cooperation between the two entities.
The Chairlady noted that it was important to document all the work and cooperation between UHOA and UTB.
It was agreed in the MOU that the two entities would cooperate in terms of capacity building, marketing, quality assurance and regulation of the hotel sector.
