The Ugandan delegation led by the State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Suzan Nakawuki, is showcasing the country’s diverse tourism experiences and strengthening business linkages at Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in Nairobi.
The Expo was officially opened today by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miono. Magical Kenya brings together tourism destinations, travel trade, buyers, tourism businesses and industry stakeholders to create new partnerships and business opportunities.
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.
Prior to the Expo, the Uganda delegation commenced Business to Business (B2B) engagements with over 40 Kenyan tour operators and travel trade partners, with Ugandan operators holding meetings with their Kenyan counterparts. The engagements are aimed at developing new partnerships, joint tour packages and increasing tourist flows between the two countries.
As part of Uganda’s participation, the Uganda Tourism Board has also made destination presentations highlighting the country’s diverse tourism experiences, including wildlife, primates, adventure, culture, heritage, culinary tourism, coffee and community-based experiences.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hon. Suzan Nakawuki, State Minister for Tourism, invited Kenyan travellers to visit Uganda to experience the country’s diverse tourism offering.
The Minister specifically highlighted the Nyege Nyege Festival as one of the experiences that Kenyan visitors can enjoy when they travel to Uganda, alongside the country’s landscapes, cultural heritage and hospitality.
“You have not experienced Africa’s beauty without exploring Uganda. 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, including Nyege Nyege,” Hon. Nakawuki said.
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 and positioning East Africa as a competitive and interconnected tourism destination.
She added that Uganda’s tourism offering complements the wider East African experience and that stronger collaboration between the region’s tourism businesses can encourage longer stays and greater visitor spending within the region.
Uganda’s participation at MKTE also provides an opportunity for the country’s tourism private sector to establish new partnerships, develop joint tour packages and strengthen cross-border tourism flows between Uganda and Kenya.
Uganda Tourism Board is using the expo to position Uganda as a preferred tourism destination and to demonstrate that the country offers a broad range of experiences for leisure, adventure, cultural and business travellers. Through continued engagement with the Kenyan travel trade, Uganda seeks to strengthen its presence in the Kenyan market and encourage more Kenyan visitors to discover the Pearl of Africa.