Uganda High Commission in partnership with Uganda Airlines will unveil the first ever Uganda Pavilion at this year’s prestigious Indo-Asia’s travel market show.
The show, dubbed Open (Outbound) Travel Market (OTM), is the leading Travel, Trade Show in India and Asia and is scheduled to take place from 30 January 30 to February 2 2025 at JIO World Convention Center, Bombay. This comes at a time when the country is trying to tap more into the Indian travel market which is at its inflection point and ranks among the world’s fastest-growing markets.
According to Amb Elly Kamahungye, the director international and regional economic cooperation, Uganda’s debut at the Indo-Asia Travel Market is a strategic step to showcase Destination Uganda in one of the world’s largest tourism markets.
“As you are all aware, the Government of Uganda has embarked on ambitious strategy of growing the economy tenfold from USD 49.5 billion as of FY 2023/2024 to USD 500 billion in the next 15 years. Apart from industrialization, the government wants to promote tourism differently. The target is that by 2040, our tourism sector brings in 50 billion dollars,” he said.
According to an Expedia report, by 2025, there is an anticipation of 13.9 million leisure departures from India, resulting in 19.4 million Indian visitor arrivals abroad, driven by Tier II and Tier III cities. Business travel accounts for 26% of outbound trips, making India one of the largest global markets for business travel.
Out of these arrivals, Mumbai leads as India’s primary outbound market contributing 63% to the MICE and business travel form the country. Mumbai also serves as the commercial and financial center and a home to Bollywood, India’s premier film industry.
“The OTM 2025 is expected to have over 1,600 exhibitors from about 60 countries and at least 30 Indian states. The expo provides access to 40,000 trade visitors and 1, 000 top buyers across various industry sectors, all with the support of a strong hosted buyer program,” a circular from the organizers reads in part.
According to the organisers, the show is pivotal in the development and promotion of tourism in East Asia since it provides a platform for quality networking, connecting exhibitors, tour operators and travel agents from all over the world, with wedding planners, film producers, MICE and corporate buyers.
“Beyond the exhibition, OTM features knowledge-sharing and networking events, including insightful panel discussions, workshops, and masterclasses in the OTM Forum”
The OTM Forum facilitates dialogue on essential trends and strategies shaping the USD$50 billion Indian travel market. New Delhi, together with Uganda Airlines have acquired 48 square meters of stand space to host a delegation of Uganda Tour stakeholders from both public and private sectors .
Eight companies have been recommended by the Association of Uganda Tour Operators to participate at OTM alongside the Uganda Tourism Board, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities.
On October 9 2023, Uganda Airlines launched direct flights from Entebbe to Mumbai. Uganda Airlines the national carrier now flies 3 times a week to Mumbai. The direct flights have shortened the distance from 14 hours Flight to 7 hours only.
During OTM, UTB and the Uganda Tourism delegation will position the destination using its unique tourism products that include; Primate Tracking- Chimpanzee & Gorilla tracking, Birding, Wildlife & Safaris in the 10 national parks of Uganda and 12 wildlife reserves and Culture and Heritage to create a connection for the Indian Community. The destination will be sold as a complimentary destination to the operators that already sell Africa.