Kenya, Uganda agree to work together to boost tourism
The tourism players in Kenya and Uganda have committed to work together to maximise both countries' tourism potential.
This was reached at the Uganda-Kenya coast conference and exhibition in Mombasa, Kenya on Thursday November, 17.
Keep Reading
The conference which is organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa, run under the theme: "Strengthening Networks, Synergies and Diversity to Maximize the Tourism Potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coastal Region."
According to ambassador Paul Mukumbya, the consul general of Uganda in Mombasa, the conference was organised to create partnerships between key players in the tourism sectors in Uganda and the Kenya Coast.
“As clearly spelt out, tourist arrivals in Uganda in 2021 stood at 512,945. Out these, 326,387 were from Kenya, which translates to 63.63% of all arrivals in Uganda. 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, music concerts among others," he said.
He said that these numbers can even go higher if the tourism players in the two countries work together and build networks and synergies.
"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. These tourists normally end their trips at the coast, yet there are many other completely different attractions in Uganda that would complement each other and give the tourists a fulfilling experience," he said.
Victor Shitakha the chairman of Kenya Coast Tourism Association told participants that the conference was historic because it was the first ever regional tourism conference and business to business engagement hosted at the Kenya Coast.
"It is also important to note that both the Kenya coast and Uganda offer unique memorable and complimenting experiences. I therefore call upon the regional tourism stakeholders to seize the opportunity and work together in enhancing the regional tourism trade and investment," he said.
