The 8th Edition of Uganda’s Pearl of Africa tourism Expo kicked off on Thursday with a welcome dinner at the Speke Resort Munyonyo conference centre.
Jessica Alupo, the country’s vice president was the chief guest at the opening ceremony and she was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime, the State Minister for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Martin Mugarra, Phiona Nyamutoro the State Minister for Minerals and the tourism ministry’s Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime.
Other guests in attendance were invited Hosted buyers and foreign journalists.
The theme for this year’s POATE is sustainable tourism.
Lilly Ajarova, the Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer welcomed the guests officially to the Pearl of Africa and revealed that for the 8th time Uganda has opened her doors to 70 hosted buyers and over 5000 trade visitors.
“The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is our signature tourism event organized by Uganda Tourism Board, in collaboration with other stakeholders that include the government of Uganda, different ministries and agencies, developmental partners, and the private sector players. For the eighth time, Uganda doors open to 70 hosted buyers and over 5000 trade visitors.” Dr. Ajarova.
With a packed schedule of conferences, networking events, exhibitions, and presentations, the expo promises to showcase the best of Uganda’s attractions, from its diverse wildlife to its rich cultural heritage.
POATE 2024 is being hosted as a business to business exposition at the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo – Kampala from 23rd-25th May 2023.
The expo attracted about 70 hosted buyers, 186 exhibitors including tourism boards from neighbouring countries, tourism associations, corporate companies, trade visitors and consumers.
POATE 2024 also provides an avenue to grow and reinforce Uganda’s tourism brand in the country’s major traveller generating countries, enabling hosted buyers and local value chain suppliers to network for long-term business relationships.
Small and medium scale operators also have an opportunity to interface with hosted buyers and exhibitors from across the globe.
Ordinarily the SME’s might not have had the opportunity to transact business face to face with international buyers due to budgetary restrictions.