Uganda’s tourism potential took centre stage at the inaugural Uganda Tourism Symposium held at the Scandic Spectrum Hotel, marking a key milestone in strengthening tourism cooperation between Uganda and the Nordic region.
The high-level event, organised by Uganda’s embassy in Denmark under the theme “Building Sustainable Tourism Partnerships and Linkages,” brought together tourism stakeholders, travel trade professionals, media, and strategic partners interested in promoting Uganda as a preferred destination in Scandinavia.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Tourism Board, tour operators, and hotel owners. They showcased Uganda’s diverse tourism offerings, including wildlife safaris, cultural heritage, adventure tourism, and sustainable travel experiences.
Through presentations and discussions, stakeholders highlighted Uganda’s position as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination in Africa.
Speaking at the symposium, Daniel Irunga, Senior Brand Officer at UTB, emphasized the country’s commitment to building stronger partnerships with Nordic travel stakeholders.
“Destination Uganda is committed to deepening business partnerships with Nordic and Scandinavian tour operators and travel advisors, while positioning the country as a safe, competitive, and sustainable destination for Nordic travellers,” he said.
The symposium also served as a platform for business-to-business engagements, fostering collaborations aimed at increasing tourist arrivals from Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, as well as the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Uganda’s Ambassador to the Nordic and Baltic regions, Margaret Otteskov, underscored the importance of tapping into new tourism markets.
“The Nordic market is characterised by a strong outbound travel segment with growing interest in authentic, nature-based, and socially responsible tourism experiences. Through economic and commercial diplomacy, we remain committed to strengthening Uganda’s presence in the region,” she said.
The event was attended by representatives from the Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Hotel Association, and private sector players including Crystal Safaris, Dory's Tours, Emburara Safaris, Sites Travel, and Africa Addict Safaris.
The symposium marks a significant step in Uganda’s efforts to expand its global tourism footprint and attract more visitors from the Nordic and Baltic regions.