By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan diplomatic missions in foreign countries have been asked to rigorously market and promote local tourism products in states of their jurisdictions.
This call had been made by the state minister for foreign affairs in charge of regional affairs, Hon. John Mulimba at the media launch of the 2nd Uganda – Kenya coast tourism conference, 20 23 at Wapap auditorium, foreign affairs ministry headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday.
The minister says promotion of Uganda’s tourism does not only increase household income but also enables country’s economic growth. He encouraged missions abroad to incorporate tourism within their strategic plans and Annual Work-plans.
“Uganda possesses some unique tourism products that can be used to make it one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. We possess some of the rarest primates in the world, Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, Source of River Nile, rich culture, among others. Therefore, our Missions abroad need to rigorously market these products,” said minister Mulimba
The Uganda- Kenya Coast Tourism Conference , 2023 is an annual event aiming to promoting tourism between the two countries.
Uganda has for several year retained its spot as Kenya’s biggest tourism source market in the region. Likewise, Kenya remains Uganda’s leading source market after USA. And last year alone, over 370,000 Kenyans visited Uganda for various reasons. Also, over 150,000 Ugandans are estimated to have visited Kenya from Uganda on various reasons. Out of those, 22,000 people visited the Kanya Coast.
According to the minister, the second Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, 2023 will be held from 13-
14 November, 2023 at Neptune Paradise Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale
County in Kenya, under the theme theme; “Consolidating Networks, Synergies &
Diversity to maximize the tourism potential between Uganda and Kenya Coastal
Region”.
In Uganda, tourism forms a very significant part of Uganda’s economy. It contributes more than 7 percent of our National GDP and it employs a significant number of people
directly or indirectly ranging from government, private sector, education tourism, leisure events promoters, professional associations, individuals to training institutions
