Uganda’s biggest tourism event, the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (Poate), will take place from Wednesday to Saturday at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo. This year marks the ninth edition of the expo. It will bring together more than 100 invited travel buyers to meet and connect with local tourism businesses and service providers. The goal is to promote Uganda’s unique attractions through talks and real-life experiences.
The main purpose of this event is to promote Uganda as a travel destination to tourists from all over the world. According to Mr. Vivian Lyazi, the acting commissioner of tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the event will involve both local and international participants. Over four days, the expo will feature a variety of activities. The President of Uganda is expected to officially open the event.
On the first day, Tourism Minister Tom Butime and other ministers from the region will meet to discuss how to strengthen tourism partnerships across East Africa. The second day will focus on investment in tourism, with businessman Sudhir Ruparelia giving the main speech. This will be followed by a discussion involving experts from the World Bank and other key organisations. Mr. Lyazi says this part of the event will provide networking opportunities with representatives from the Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority, and more.
The third day will focus on marketing tourism. The CEO of MTN Uganda, Sylvia Mulinge, will give a keynote address. Other speakers will include popular tour operator Amos Wekesa and the expo organiser, Aly Alibhai. The expo will end with a colourful event called the ‘Pearl Festival’, which will celebrate Ugandan culture with traditional dances, local food, and fashion displays.
In the days leading up to the expo, invited travel buyers and media representatives have been visiting different parts of Uganda. These trips are meant to give them a real feel of Uganda’s attractions. From seeing the Big Five animals in national parks to mountain gorilla trekking and visiting the Source of the Nile, they are experiencing the country’s beauty first-hand.
Uganda is home to the Big Five: lion, elephant, African buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. These animals can be found in the country’s 10 national parks, along with other wildlife reserves and conservation areas. Tourists can also go mountain gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. The country offers friendly people from many different cultures, exciting nightlife, organic food, and adventures like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, boat cruises, game drives, and mountaineering.
Most of Uganda’s tourists come from nearby East African countries. Other visitors come from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. However, Mr. Lyazi says that the local tourism market still has a lot of room for growth. He believes many Ugandans, especially the growing middle class, are now looking for exciting and relaxing experiences within their own country. Campaigns like ‘Explore Uganda’ are being used to encourage locals to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of their homeland.
This year’s expo theme is ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’. The focus is on adapting to climate change and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Mr. Lyazi says they are encouraging people to reduce single-use plastics and use reusable bottles instead. The Ministry of Energy will also display green energy solutions as part of the expo’s commitment to sustainability.
