2017 tourism expo takes off

The 2017 Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) started on Wednesday, with hosted buyers from 18 countries, sampling Uganda’s tourism sites.

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) hosted 80 tourism planners and sellers who comprise media personnel and tourism business leaders from 18 countries such as United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Brazil, Poland, Portugal, Tanzania, Russia, and Zambia, among others.

This expo, according to UTB’s spokesperson Mr Mitchel Mwesigwa, is aimed at raising the profile of Uganda as a preferred destination, both domestically and regionally.

“POATE’s core focus for this year will be showcasing new products and creating common platforms for key businesses-to-business relationships and networks that can be used to elevate the growing tourism and hospitality industry,” said Mr Mwesigwa.

Gorilla tracking was one of the activities. Photo by Eseri Watsemwa

The expo that started with Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park on Wednesday will run up to February 19. Tourism buyers and Kkey players will visit a number of Uganda’s tourism sites.

These include Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district for a game drive and boat cruise, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu district for Gorilla tracking, Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Zhiwa Rhino sanctuary.

Mr Stephen Asiimwe, UTB’s chief executive, said the visiting team will also interact with government officials.

“They will interact with government officials, airline, and tour companies,” he said, adding that POATE is an opportunity for Ugandans to showcase the best that the country has to offer.

According to Mr Asiimwe, all these activities, under the theme ‘Tourism is everybody’s business’, are aimed at raising Uganda’s profile. He said UTB’s vision is to work with tourism partners to develop POATE into one of the most effective networking platforms in the East African region.

He observed that Uganda has the best wildlife, scenic beauty, rich culture, heritage, historical sites, food, great entertainment, and above all top security. 

“We have 100 foreign exhibitors, media practitioners from over 25 countries, about 10 tourism boards, five ministers, airlines, hotels, tour and travel companies and insurers, all coming here,” he added.

The expo will climax with UTB and all other tourism and business entities exhibiting at Jubilee Park (the Sheraton gardens) from February 17 to 19 and will be crowned by the Uganda Excellence Awards which aim at recognising and appreciating different individuals, companies, organisations, and institutions for their relentless efforts in developing Uganda’s tourism industry and making a difference in the country.