The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2026 continues to serve as a vital bridge for regional tourism players, with Kenya’s coastal destination of Diani Beach emerging as one of the standout exhibitors championing cross-border partnerships.
Speaking during the expo, Judy Thom, Director at Coral Spirit Tours and co-founder of Green Canyon Safaris, highlighted the growing momentum between Kenya and Uganda’s tourism sectors, noting that collaboration rather than competition will drive regional growth.
“We are here at POATE to engage Uganda and the wider market, to showcase the packages that we offer,” Judy said. “This time around, we’ve done something different—combining Airbnb stays, private villas, and airport transfers into a seamless, end-to-end premium experience.”
Judy described Diani as Africa’s leading beach destination, emphasizing its natural beauty, marine ecosystem, and conservation efforts.
“What is special about Diani is that we are Africa’s leading beach destination. Our beach is unmatched—we have a very wide shoreline,” she noted. “We also have a strong conservation community and marine life that is unrivaled. From beach hotels to private villas, the service is exceptional—it’s something you need to experience.”
She stressed that Kenya and Uganda offer complementary tourism experiences that can mutually benefit both countries.
“Uganda has its own magic, and we have ours. It’s not something you can fully explain with words—someone has to come and experience it,” she said.
Judy revealed that interest in Diani from Ugandan tour operators is steadily increasing, reflecting growing momentum in intra-African travel and regional tourism packaging.
“We’ve seen even more tour operators wanting to sell our destination. The regional market and Kenya–Uganda collaboration is just beginning, and this partnership will go far for many years.”
She, however, called for more structured business-to-business networking opportunities during the expo.
“We would love more B2B engagement time because sometimes the schedules are tight and you can’t fully interact with other exhibitors,” she said.
Drawing from Kenya’s experience, Judy pointed to the success of domestic tourism campaigns such as Tembea Kenya, which encourage locals to travel and explore their own country.
“In Kenya, we actively market tourism to our own citizens through campaigns like Tembea Kenya,” she explained. “During school holidays, there are incentives like free park entry, encouraging locals to travel.”
She added that exposing children to tourism at an early age helps build long-term appreciation for the sector.
“This allows children from a young age to appreciate tourism. I’ve met people here who say they’ve never seen a gorilla, and that shows there’s still work to be done in promoting local tourism.”
Judy also commended the Kenyan government for supporting private tourism investors through incentives aimed at strengthening the industry.
“As an investor in Kenya tourism, there are incentive packages—especially for importing tourism-related items like crockery and linen, often duty-free,” she said. “There has been push and pull, but overall the government is supportive.”
She added that the participation of senior government officials at the expo reflects growing confidence in the tourism sector and its economic potential.
While praising the event’s impact, Judy also pointed out logistical challenges that organizers could improve in future editions.
“My experience over the last two days has been great—the interest from local tour operators and the community has been impressive,” she said. “But one challenge was the lack of reliable Wi-Fi, which made it difficult to share rates and information in real time.”
Despite the challenges, she confirmed their commitment to continue participating in the expo.
“This is something that needs to continue—definitely you will see us next year.”
Judy concluded by emphasizing the growing demand for high-end, curated travel experiences tailored to modern travelers seeking exclusivity and convenience.
“Our marina excursions are unrivaled, and we focus on premium service—combining luxury accommodation with unique experiences. That’s what sets us apart.”
