The 10th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) took place at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Uganda, on May 21-23.
It gathered more than 350 Ugandan exhibitors and 120 buyers from 40 countries.
Officially opening the expo, Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, said: “When you are talking of Uganda as a tourism destination, you are talking about comfort, culture, food and peace.”
He revealed plans to improve tourism with friendlier visa arrangements. “We are going to extend visas to tourists and remove short-term visa restrictions.”
As Uganda prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, the country plans to go beyond a “match-day destination”. It offers guests an opportunity to extend their stay with gorilla trekking expeditions as well as visits to national parks.
Juliana Kagwa, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, described the upcoming tournament as the country’s single biggest tourism market opportunity.
The expo identified Turkey, Egypt, China and Canada as potential growth markets.
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