Uganda has welcomed a delegation of nine tour operators from Türkiye for a seven-day familiarisation (FAM) trip aimed at deepening tourism collaboration and positioning the ქვეყან as a preferred destination in the Turkish travel market.
The group arrived Saturday morning at Entebbe International Airport, where they were received by officials from the Uganda Embassy in Ankara, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and Turkish Airlines.
The visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen tourism linkages between Uganda and Türkiye while offering the visiting operators firsthand exposure to the country’s diverse attractions.
According to Nelson Kasigaire, Counselor at the Uganda Embassy in Ankara, the itinerary has been carefully designed to showcase multiple tourism circuits across the country, enabling participants to better understand the destination and develop tailored travel packages.
Kasigaire said Uganda sees strong potential in expanding tourism relations with Türkiye, a country widely recognised as a global tourism hub with extensive experience in destination development.
He noted that Uganda’s combination of wildlife, cultural heritage, and natural landscapes offers a unique experience for international travellers, adding that partnerships with markets such as Türkiye could unlock significant growth for the sector.
The visit comes amid a steady rise in tourism exchanges between the two countries. Visitor arrivals from Türkiye increased to 3,431 in 2025, up from 1,419 in 2024, reflecting growing interest in Uganda as a travel destination.
Officials also highlighted increased flight frequency by Turkish Airlines as a key factor improving connectivity between the two countries, making travel more accessible and supporting tourism growth.
Uganda and Türkiye continue to enjoy expanding bilateral relations, with tourism emerging as a strategic area of cooperation.
Stakeholders say that beyond boosting visitor numbers, such partnerships could play a critical role in advancing Uganda’s broader ambition of becoming a leading and sustainable tourism destination in Africa.
The FAM trip is jointly organised by the Uganda Embassy in Ankara and the Uganda Tourism Board in partnership with Turkish Airlines, which provided complimentary air tickets for the delegation.
The visiting tour operators are expected to explore key tourism sites and engage with local industry players before returning home as ambassadors for Destination Uganda.
