A delegation of travel agents and tour operators from the State of Qatar has visited Uganda as part of a strategic initiative to grow Uganda’s tourism sector and expand commercial reach.
The visit aimed to form direct business linkages between Ugandan tour operators and Qatari travel agents.
According to Ambassador Mohammed Buswari Kezaala, Head of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy said to diversify Uganda’s source markets and deepen trade partnerships there is need to invest in destination visibility and accessibility.
He said the travel agents, “have been carefully selected and invited not just to explore Uganda, but to form direct business linkages with Ugandan tour operators through their participation as hosted buyers at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2025.”
Uganda welcomes approximately 1.5 million international visitors annually, with a national aspiration to scale this to 10 million annual arrivals by 2035.
The country is working to become a destination of choice for high-spending, experience-seeking travelers from the Gulf region.
The Qatari delegation embarked on a comprehensive familiarization trip across Uganda, visiting key tourism hotspots and product experiences.
They will later participate in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2025, engaging in B2B meetings with Ugandan tour operators and tourism service providers.
Dr Stephen Chemoiko Chebrot, Ambassador of Uganda to Qatar said the mission is not about sightseeing, however, It is about market development, trade creation, and aligning Uganda’s tourism offering with the needs and preferences of the Qatari traveler.
“This reflects the Embassy’s commitment to tourism as a driver of economic diplomacy-and to fostering people-to-people and business-to-business connections that will serve both our nations.”
The initiative is a collaboration between the Ugandan government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Afrireps Consult Ltd, a Uganda-based destination marketing agency.
The visit reflects the Embassy’s commitment to tourism as a driver of economic diplomacy and fostering people-to-people and business-to-business connections.