Mombasa — With as much as 60% of tourism arrivals in Uganda originating in Kenya, the nation’s Consulate Normal in Mombasa has referred to as for brand new synergies to reap much more for the sector.
Uganda’s Consul Normal to Mombasa Amb. Paul Mukumbya revealed Thursday on the Uganda – Kenya Coast Tourism Convention and Exhibition held at Pleasure Inn Paradise Resort that between January and March 2022 alone, near 95,000 Kenyans visited Uganda. He mentioned they travelled to attend golf and rugby tournaments, and in addition for festivals and music live shows.
Mukumbya mentioned that if the tourism stakeholders and officers of Uganda and Kenya labored nearer collectively, vacationer numbers might double within the subsequent one 12 months.
“It’s my honest hope that by the top of the convention and the fam journey, a powerful basis for cooperation can have been constructed between key tourism gamers in Uganda and the Kenya Coast,” he mentioned.
Tourism arrivals in Uganda, as of 2021; stood at 512,945. Out of those, 326,387 have been from Kenya, which interprets to 63.63% of all arrivals in Uganda.
Tourism stakeholders drawn from Uganda and Kenya are assembly within the Kenyan port metropolis of Mombasa at an occasion dubbed ‘Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Convention and Exhibition’. The theme is “Strengthening Networks, Synergies, and Range to maximise the tourism potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coastal Area”
The Chairman of Kenya Coast Tourism Affiliation (KCTA) Victor. M. Shitakha described the convention as historic as a result of it’s the first-ever regional tourism convention and enterprise to enterprise engagement to be held on the Kenya Coast. He added that this convention affords a possibility for a structured discourse in direction of growing Kenya Coast tourism and Uganda circuit the place international vacationers to the area can go to each the 2 nations below one circuit whereas additionally accelerating cross border tourism.
“As Kenya Coast, Uganda is considered one of our main Africa buying and selling companions and tourism supply market. Each the 2 nations take pleasure in mutual and peaceable coexistence that helps development of the regional economic system,” he mentioned.
“Additionally it is essential to notice that each Kenya Coast and Uganda supply distinctive memorable and complimenting experiences, I subsequently name upon the regional tourism stakeholders to grab the chance and work collectively in enhancing the regional tourism commerce and funding,” Shitakha defined.
This convention has been organized by the Consulate Normal of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa, in partnership with key tourism gamers in Uganda and the Kenya Coast: the Uganda Tourism Affiliation, the Personal Sector Basis Uganda, the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Airways, the Kenya Coast Vacationer Affiliation, the Counties of Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.
On the similar occasion John Mulimba the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Overseas Affairs famous that, “the significance of tourism in our economies can’t be underestimated. It’s insurmountable.”
Based on analysts, these numbers may even go greater as soon as the tourism gamers within the two international locations be a part of fingers.
Promotion and popularization of the Entebbe-Mombasa route plied by Uganda Airways can be on the agenda.
It’s value noting that Kenya’s coastal area is residence to numerous points of interest that embody Fort Jesus that was constructed between 1593 and 1596 on the orders of Portugal’s King Felipe II distinctive safaris, seashores and historic heritage making the 2 nations perfect for journey.
Different amenities inside the coastal belt, Kwale County to be specific; embody Baobab Seaside Resort, The Residence at Leopard, Diani Reef Seaside Resort and Spa, Kinondo Kwetu which scooped varied awards on the 2022 World Journey Awards which have been held in Nairobi.
As if that isn’t sufficient, Kwale Governor Fatuma Mohamed Achani says efforts are underway to develop different attraction websites; Majimoto, Wasini Boardwalk, Shimoni and Fikirini caves and First World Struggle Memorial graves at Mkongani amongst others.