Uganda has showcased its tourism and travel beauty at this year’s Open (outbound) Travel Market (OTM) -Bombay Trade Fair at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India.
The expo took place between January 30 and February, 1.
Uganda’s High Commission in Delhi and Uganda Airlines were joint organizers of this expo.
Officials saidUganda’s participation at this global tourism expo wass guided by the theme: “Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa”, marking Uganda’s footprint and marketing the country’s tourism potential to over 1600+ exhibitors from 60+ countries and at least 30+ Indian states and other Asian countries during the expo.
“Uganda is being positioned as an alternative tourism destination in the heart of Africa through showcasing unique products that it has to offer from primate tracking for Gorillas and Chimpanzees, birding with over 1200 species; culture and heritage; safaris and fresh water lakes and rivers,” officials said.
These said Uganda’s participation was meant to catalyze and strengthen the Entebbe – Mumbai route of the Uganda Airlines; and hope to interest at least 50 international tour companies to upsell the Pearl of Africa alongside their existing markets in Africa.
“ From the many inquiries received so far, have given Ugandan team optimism to have many tourists from India and other Asian countries in particular.”
The Indian Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited the Uganda Pavilion and praised the friendly relations between Uganda and India.
He urged that Uganda should use her friendly relations with India to attract more Indian tourists.
The Indian minister said Uganda’s participation at this tourism expo was a step in the right direction and wished Uganda success.
During the expo, Indian tour operators showed interest in selling destination Uganda and other tourism players like film actors, tourism influencers.
Among these was Ramji, an iconic Indian film producer who had started work in Uganda with a view of producing a movie capturing all tourism iconic features and scenic areas but had almost given up.
He was able to meet with the High Commissioner and the team from Kampala who rekindled his interest to continue with the project.
Both Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Wild life and Antiquities, and UTB and UWA agreed to work in partnership with the Uganda High Commission in India to see to it that his objective is realized.
The successful execution of the project guarantees a viewership of over 50million in both India and Asia majorly.
This should be able to raise at least one million tourists.
The CEO and Founder of Forum World Wide, Ms. Viral Shah that recently brought 80 tourists from India to Uganda also visited Uganda’s stall .
She promised to further sell destination Uganda in an energized manner.
The Ugandan pavilion was also able to have a discussion with Mr. Amey Amladi, COO India Akbar Travels of India PVT Ltd, the leading Tour and Travel agent in India.
He observed that he was the biggest seller of the African Bound Tourists.
He said he had done much business with Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and others, but he has not been approached by any Ugandan to sell destination Uganda.
From the discussions held, he agreed to have focused discussions with the Ugandans to sell Destination Uganda.
He was briefed about the tourist potential of Uganda and he believes Uganda has captivating touristic sceneries that could be sold.
He agreed to continue discussions with the Ministry of Tourism and Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board to sell Uganda.
It was agreed that he will be able to continue discussing with the Uganda High Commission New Delhi with a view to visiting Uganda and assess for himself what Uganda has to offer since seeing is believing.
It was also agreed that he is included in the proposed tourism farm trip to Uganda being organized by Uganda Mission New Delhi.
The Kampala team agreed to help arrange for him to have a deliberate and focused trip to Uganda if the mission farm trip delays
The Ugandan pavilion also received Mr. Bhupesh a businessman who has created business opportunities in international markets in Africa, Middle East,Europe and Asia regions.
He expressed interest in selling Uganda to different markets. He also wants to go and see Uganda to be able to sell it better.