Canadian tour operators, travel influencers, and industry professionals have expressed strong interest in promoting Uganda as a key tourism destination following an 11-day familiarisation tour across the country.
The delegation, which included travel journalists, investors, and media practitioners, shared its impressions during a debriefing session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praising Uganda’s diverse tourism offerings and what they described as significant untapped potential in the Canadian market.
The visit was coordinated by the Uganda High Commission in Ottawa as part of a wider government push to advance economic and commercial diplomacy through tourism promotion.
Speaking during the engagement, Undersecretary Stephen Kyaterekera commended the delegation for visiting Uganda, noting that first-hand exposure plays a crucial role in shaping international perceptions of the country.
“While Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad can promote the country’s tourism, it is significantly more effective when foreign nationals share their firsthand experiences of Uganda,” he said.
He highlighted growing interest from the Canadian market, noting that tourist arrivals from Canada increased from 7,542 in 2022 to 9,688 in 2024, representing a 28 percent rise.
Delegation members described their experience as “eye-opening” and “far exceeding expectations,” praising Uganda’s landscapes, wildlife, cultural experiences, and hospitality.
They also pointed to opportunities for investment in tourism infrastructure and hospitality services, stressing the importance of authentic storytelling in attracting more visitors to the country.
Uganda currently records an average stay of 8.7 nights per international visitor, a figure tourism authorities say they aim to maintain or improve as part of efforts to increase tourism earnings.
Uganda’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ottawa, Ambassador Allan Kajik, noted ongoing investments in transport connectivity, including upgraded airfields and planned airport improvements, adding that the country remains safe for international visitors.
The visit concluded with a commitment from the Canadian operators to promote Uganda across the broader North American market, with authorities targeting more than 20,000 Canadian tourist arrivals by 2028.