International tourism expo ends in Kampala

Uganda’s second international tourism expo ended last evening after showcasing over two and a half days the country’s rich attractions at the Uganda Museum grounds.

Organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Uganda Tourism Board, a number of Uganda’s safari lodges and upcountry hotels, and also adventure tourism operators showcased their services, while the Uganda Wildlife Authority made sure Ugandans, expatriates, and visitors from the just-ended Africa Travel Association congress were able to learn more about the country’s protected areas, the ten national parks, and the many more game and nature reserves.

Held under the theme “Celebrating People and Culture,” performances from cultural groups across the country showcased the wide variety of different traditional outfits and dances, but the main aim of the expo was clearly directed at the domestic market to entice more Ugandans to explore their own country. Said one exhibitor: “We were at the Magical Kenya Expo last month, and the interest from the Kenyan public was big. Their Sarit Centre travel fair was also an eye opener. We in Uganda need to do more to promote domestic travel to the parks, to the islands of Lake Victoria, and even to the Nile for all these activities which are now available.

“We have a challenge because for many Ugandans, such trips are beyond their means, because the 5-star accommodation is too expensive for them. We need more affordable prices and, of course, also transport which covers game drives in the parks. There is also the issue of park fees for locals, which for a family can be expensive, but when we have more feedback from people about what stops them from visiting parks, we can adjust here and there.”

There was some critique over the venue, as many of the ATA delegates would have found it easier to visit the trade fair had it been located at the congress venue in Munyonyo – perhaps a lost opportunity to bring many of Uganda’s attractions closer to the international visitors to the congress, showcasing areas not covered in the Host Day Program which took the delegates to Jinja, or the fam trips some of them did prior or immediately after the end of the official program. A tourism board official confirmed that the third edition of the travel expo will be held in 2015 although no dates are yet available.