Uganda has been recognized as the Most Promising New Destination at the recently concluded Outbound Travel Market (OTM) in Bombay, India. This prestigious award was presented to Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, on behalf of the Ugandan delegation by Mr. Sanjav Agarwal, Chairman and CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd, the chief organizers of the event.
A Landmark Recognition for Uganda’s Tourism
OTM Bombay, a leading Indo-Asia tourism expo, ran from January 30 to February 1, 2025. The event is an annual gathering that attracts key players in the tourism industry, including sellers and buyers of tourism products worldwide. Uganda’s participation in this year’s event was a collaborative effort led by the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi, in partnership with Uganda Airlines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Uganda Tour Operators.
Organizers believe that this participation has significantly positioned Destination Uganda at the forefront of one of the world’s largest tourism and travel markets. Nine Ugandan Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) represented Uganda at this premier tourism event.
Uganda’s Stand: A Crowd Favorite
The Uganda pavilion was evaluated based on pre-determined criteria, including clientele feedback. Emerging as the most visited and highly rated stand at OTM, Uganda successfully showcased its unique tourism offerings, including:
- Primate tracking – Mountain gorilla tracking and chimpanzee trekking
- Bird watching – Over 1,200 bird species
- Cultural and heritage tourism
- Wildlife safaris
- Freshwater lakes and rivers
- Adventure tourism
This recognition affirms Uganda’s positioning as an alternative tourism destination in the heart of Africa, appealing to travelers looking for diverse and unique experiences.
Future Strategies for Growth
Moving forward, Uganda must capitalize on this award by continuing to participate in high-profile international tourism events. This will help establish strategic partnerships with major tourism players, further solidifying Uganda’s status as a top travel destination.
The Uganda High Commission in New Delhi is set to host a familiarization trip in the next two months for major Indian tour operators. The trip aims to give them first-hand experiences of Uganda’s tourism products, enabling them to recommend the destination to their clientele.
Additionally, the mission plans to engage influential travel and tour magazines, Bollywood film producers, and social media personalities with a strong following to boost Uganda’s visibility in the Indian market. Notably, Indian film producer Mr. Ramji has expressed renewed interest in producing a movie highlighting Uganda’s scenic landscapes and tourism attractions. With a potential audience of over 50 million people in India and Asia, this initiative could attract at least one million tourists to Uganda.
Strengthening Uganda’s Tourism Ties with India
The launch of Uganda Airlines’ direct flights between Entebbe and Mumbai in October 2023 has greatly incentivized travel for tourism, trade, and investment. This connectivity is expected to further drive tourist numbers from India to Uganda.
The Government of Uganda has been commended for providing the necessary resources for missions abroad to lead a whole-of-government approach to tourism promotion at international events like OTM Bombay. With sustained efforts and strategic partnerships, Uganda is poised to become a leading destination for global travelers, particularly from the Indian market.