Ugandan tour operators have hailed the government for stepping up efforts to promote the country on the global stage, following the successful hosting of the first-ever Uganda Tourism Expo in Doha, Qatar.
The event brought together over 50 Qatari tour operators to engage directly with Ugandan stakeholders, in a colourful display of culture, cuisine, wildlife, and heritage.
Supported by the Ugandan Embassy in Qatar, the exhibition showcased the country's rich tourism offering.
Ugandan representatives, adorned in traditional kikooyi and kanzus, left many Qatari visitors in awe of the Pearl of Africa’s cultural and natural wealth.
From exotic dishes to vibrant dances and presentations on national parks and primates, Uganda made a compelling case for new partnerships.
Tourism players see the event as a gateway to a fresh market in Asia and the Gulf region. Catherine Ainembabazi of Lemala Lodge Uganda noted that the expo opened doors to a previously untapped demographic.
“This means a lot to us and opens new doors to the Asian market,” she said.
Jonathan Rao, vice chairperson of the Tour Operators Association in Uganda, said while Uganda still lags behind its regional competitors, the latest national budget allocations for tourism are a step in the right direction.
“There is a lot to be done compared to our neighbours, but we are happy the current budget has increased,” he said. He also called for prioritisation of tourism roads to ease access to key destinations.
Joshua Rukundo, another operator, applauded the government’s new strategy of involving embassies abroad in marketing efforts.
“This concept of bringing tour operators to where Uganda has embassies is giving the country mileage,” he said.
The exhibition aimed not only to market Uganda as a destination but also to facilitate smoother tourism flows from Qatar to Uganda.
Stakeholders hope this will translate into increased tourist numbers and greater investment in the sector.
With tourism contributing significantly to national revenue, events like these are seen as vital steps toward making Uganda more competitive on the international travel map.