Kenya and Uganda join forces to promote East African destinations as a unified travel experience.
Highlights:
- Over 100 Ugandan tourism stakeholders are touring key attractions in Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa.
- Collaboration seeks to position East Africa as a single tourism package, blending Uganda’s wilderness with Kenya’s beaches.
- The initiative follows a successful Kenya-Uganda conference in Uganda last week.
Full Story:
A delegation of over 100 Ugandan tourism stakeholders has arrived at Kenya’s Coast to explore the region’s tourism offerings in a week-long initiative aimed at enhancing the bilateral tourism relationship. The team landed at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, on Wednesday to kick off their tour, which includes visits to key attractions in Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa counties.
Speaking at the airport, Mombasa Tourism Council Chairman, Sam Ikwaye, emphasized the importance of showcasing the Kenyan Coast’s potential to their Ugandan counterparts.
“We are here to show our brothers and sisters what the Kenyan Coast has to offer,” Ikwaye stated, adding that the goal is to market the destinations collaboratively.
The delegation will immerse themselves in the region’s culture, cuisine, and iconic attractions, including pristine beaches and historical landmarks, with the aim of creating a seamless tourism package that spans both countries.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
The initiative follows a recent visit by over 70 Kenyan tourism stakeholders to Uganda for a Kenya-Uganda conference. During the event, Kenyan players explored Uganda’s tourism products, including its famed gorilla trekking and other wilderness experiences.
“This visit is a continuation of the Kenya-Uganda conference hosted in Uganda last week. It symbolizes our commitment to cooperation and complementarity in tourism,” Ikwaye said.
Jean Byamugisha, CEO of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the economic benefits of the partnership.
“This collaboration will boost tourism industries in both countries, creating jobs for the youth and enhancing foreign exchange earnings,” Byamugisha noted.
She highlighted a shared vision for East African tourism, aptly captured in the slogan, ‘From the Bush to the Beach.’
“We want a tourist visiting East Africa to experience Uganda’s wilderness, including gorilla trekking, and then relax at Kenya’s beaches in Mombasa,” she added.
Expanding Tourism Beyond Borders
One notable advantage of the collaboration is the ease of travel within the East African region. Byamugisha shared her pride in traveling to Kenya using her national ID, highlighting the seamless connectivity within the two nations.
Apart from showcasing tourism products, the Ugandan delegation is engaging with local businesspeople and county governments to create networks and foster economic growth. The Mombasa Tourism Council, in partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board, has also been involved in crafting joint marketing strategies to promote regional tourism.
“This visit is a great boost to Mombasa,” Ikwaye said. “We are focusing on growing regional and domestic tourism, and this partnership with Uganda aligns perfectly with our goals. We hope to create new and exciting experiences for visitors through this collaboration.”
The partnership signifies a promising step towards diversifying and sustaining tourism offerings in the region while positioning East Africa as a world-class destination.
