Uganda has welcomed a delegation of tourism stakeholders from Arusha, Tanzania, for an 11-day familiarization (FAM) trip aimed at strengthening regional tourism cooperation and unlocking new opportunities within East Africa’s tourism sector.
The visit highlights growing efforts by East African countries to position the region as a unified and competitive tourism destination by leveraging shared natural attractions, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities.
The Tanzanian delegation will spend the first six days exploring Uganda’s tourism attractions ahead of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), one of Uganda’s flagship tourism and travel events.
Their itinerary includes visits to several tourism sites across the country, giving delegates firsthand experience of Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, cultural heritage, hospitality, and tourism infrastructure.
The pre-POATE familiarization experience is intended to deepen the delegates’ understanding of Uganda’s tourism potential while creating opportunities for engagement with local tour operators, hospitality providers, and other industry players.
Following the expo, the delegation will continue with an additional five-day tour across Uganda, combined with strategic meetings and networking engagements with tourism stakeholders aimed at fostering partnerships and encouraging knowledge exchange between Uganda and Tanzania.
Tourism experts say such regional exchanges are critical in promoting East African integration and boosting cross-border tourism within the East African Community (EAC). They note that collaborative tourism efforts can increase visitor numbers, improve regional competitiveness, and stimulate economic growth.
Stakeholders also believe the visit could pave the way for joint tourism marketing campaigns, improved connectivity, and the development of multi-destination tourism packages that allow international visitors to experience several East African countries within a single itinerary.
Beyond tourism promotion, the visit is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Uganda and Tanzania through cultural exchange and regional cooperation.
As global tourism continues to recover and evolve, industry leaders increasingly view collaboration as essential for resilience and long-term growth.
Uganda’s decision to host the Arusha delegation reflects a growing regional approach that prioritizes cooperation over competition in positioning East Africa as a premier global tourism destination.
The 11-day visit is expected to create new partnerships, strengthen industry networks, and contribute to a more connected and competitive East African tourism landscape.