Uganda plots joint promotion of tourism potential with Kenya Coast

Uganda and Kenya are aiming at creating partnerships that will see tourism sector players in the two countries promote destinations and tourism products they offer in a synchronized manner.

This ambitious plan was Thursday revealed at the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition.

The event was organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa, in partnership with key tourism players in Uganda and the Kenya Coast at Pride Inn Paradise Hotels and Resorts, Mombasa, Kenya.

According to Amb Paul Mukumbya of the Uganda Consulate in Mombasa, the two countries will also enhance synergies between key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region.

“Tourism arrivals in Uganda in 2021 stood at 512, 945. Out of these, 326, 387 were from Kenya which translates to 63.63% of all arrivals in Uganda,” Amb Mukumbya said.

He added: “Between January and March 2022, close to 95, 000 Kenyans visited Uganda for various reasons. There is increasing demand for Kenyan visitors to Uganda due to various events that have taken place in Kampala such as Golf and Rugby tournaments, festivals, and music concerts among others.”

With such statistical evidence,  Amb.  Mukumbya said the conference will as well explore the opportunities for joint marketing of the tourism products of the two countries and provide a platform for Business to Business (B2B) networking, learning and information sharing.

Adding to the objectives, he noted that the conference has been organized to equip the key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region with first-hand experience of the key tourism attractions so that they are in a better position to market these attractions.

He said this will promote and popularize the Entebbe – Mombasa route operated by Uganda Airlines.

“The numbers highlighted earlier about tourism in both countries can even go higher if the tourism players in the two countries work together and build networks and synergies,” he noted.

“In addition, a significant number of tourists from Europe, America and beyond visit the Kenya Coast annually to enjoy the various tourism products related to the Coast,” he explained.

Mukumbya continues to add that tourists normally end their trips on the Kenya Coast yet many other completely different attractions in Uganda would complement each other and give the tourists a fulfilling experience.

The conference has been organized under the theme “strengthening Networks, Synergies and Diversity to Maximize the Tourism Potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coastal Region.”

It will be followed by a familiarization trip to Uganda from 23rd to 30th November 2022.