Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has partnered with Emirates Airlines to bolster inbound tourism, aiming to spotlight Uganda’s diverse tourism offerings to a global audience.
According to a statement released by UTB, this partnership signifies a significant stride in Uganda’s endeavours to attract more visitors and spotlight its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse wildlife experiences.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), inked on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, UAE, was signed by UTB Executive Director Lily Ajarova on behalf of Uganda, with Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa, Badr Abbas, representing the airline.
Ajarova was joined by Uganda’s UAE Ambassador Zaake Kibedi Mayega and First Secretary Daniel Wadada, while the Emirates team included Adnan Kazim, the airline’s Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Nabil Sultan, the Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales and Country Management.
Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, expressed enthusiasm about showcasing Uganda across Emirates’ global networks. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Emirates Airlines to showcase the beauty and warmth of Uganda to travellers worldwide. This partnership will play a pivotal role in driving tourism growth and fostering economic development in the country,” she remarked.
The partnership aims to offer passengers insight into the beauty of the “Pearl of Africa” and inspire them to explore Uganda firsthand. Emirates, in collaboration with UTB, will organize familiarization (FAM) trips to Uganda for key tourism and media personnel, such as journalists, travel agents, and tour operators, to promote tourism to Uganda.
Abbas highlighted that through the partnership, Emirates is reinforcing its commitment to attracting international travellers to experience Uganda’s stunning natural landscapes, exotic wildlife, adventure sports, and warm hospitality.
He emphasized that Uganda has been a prominent destination in the company’s global network for over two decades and remains one of the most beloved in Africa.
In addition to inflight promotions, Emirates will offer exclusive benefits to support tourism travel to Uganda. Passengers booking tourism-related travel through Emirates, including UTB staff, hoteliers, tour operators, and media, will enjoy a 10% discount on their fares, making Ugandan adventures more accessible.
Hoteliers partnering with UTB will receive an extra baggage allowance of 10 kilograms per passenger, facilitating the transportation of essential supplies and amenities.
UTB staff members will also benefit from a special 20% discount on excess baggage to bolster their capacity to promote and support Uganda’s tourism industry.
Pearl Kakooza, Chairperson of the UTB Board, expressed delight with the partnership, which enhances the visibility of Uganda’s tourist attractions. She underscored the importance of partnerships in building viable synergies and achieving collective goals within the sector, thanking Emirates for supplementing UTB’s efforts to market Uganda across its networks.