Uganda is seeking to deepen tourism cooperation with Kenya through new business partnerships, joint tour packages and increased tourist flows between the two countries as it showcases its diverse tourism offering at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in Nairobi.
The Ugandan delegation, led by State Minister for Tourism Hon. Suzan Nakawuki, is using the expo to strengthen business linkages between tourism enterprises in the two countries and position Uganda as a preferred destination for Kenyan travellers.
The expo, officially opened by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, brings together tourism destinations, travel trade players, buyers and other industry stakeholders to create new partnerships and business opportunities.
Ahead of the expo, the Ugandan delegation held business-to-business (B2B) engagements with more than 40 Kenyan tour operators and travel trade partners. Ugandan tourism operators are also holding meetings aimed at creating direct business opportunities and developing joint tourism products.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Nakawuki invited Kenyan travellers to visit Uganda and experience its wildlife, primates, adventure, culture, heritage, culinary tourism, coffee and community-based tourism experiences.
“Uganda is the Pearl of Africa. We invite our brothers and sisters from Kenya to come and discover the Pearl of Africa, experience our hospitality, explore our attractions and enjoy our vibrant cultural experiences,” Nakawuki said.
She specifically highlighted the Nyege Nyege Festival as one of the cultural experiences that Kenyan travellers can enjoy when they visit Uganda.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Board Chairperson Pearl Kakooza, who is attending the expo, said Uganda’s participation demonstrates the importance the country places on strengthening regional tourism partnerships.
She said stronger collaboration between tourism businesses in Uganda and Kenya could contribute to longer visitor stays, increased spending within the region and stronger linkages between tourism enterprises.
“Uganda’s participation is focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Uganda and Kenya, increasing visibility for Destination Uganda and creating direct business opportunities between tourism enterprises,” Kakooza said.
She added that Uganda’s tourism offering complements the wider East African experience and that continued engagement with the Kenyan travel trade could help increase tourism flows between the two countries.
UTB is also using the expo to make destination presentations to Kenyan travel trade players, highlighting Uganda’s range of experiences for leisure, adventure, cultural and business travellers.
The engagements are expected to support the development of joint tour packages and encourage greater movement of tourists across the Uganda-Kenya border.
Uganda’s participation in MKTE also provides an opportunity for the country’s tourism private sector to establish new partnerships with Kenyan counterparts while promoting Uganda’s landscapes, culture, heritage and hospitality.
The initiative comes as East African tourism stakeholders seek to strengthen regional collaboration and position the region as a competitive and interconnected tourism destination.
