The bilateral tourism engagements focusing on leveraging strengths aims at creating awareness about their attractive natural resources to foster regional tourism growth.

Tourism stakeholders in Uganda and Kenya have embarked on promoting their unique complementary tourism products to develop sustainable tourism. The bilateral tourism engagements focusing on leveraging strengths aims at creating awareness about their attractive natural resources to foster regional tourism growth. This was highlighted at the 3rd Uganda – Kenya coast tourism conference in Kampala.

Uganda and Kenya have different unique tourism products. For instance, Uganda is known for its majestic mountain gorillas and lush national parks, cultural and religious tourism; while Kenya is famed for its marine tourism, expansive savannahs and abundant wildlife, offering a combined allure that promises unforgettable experiences for tourists.

However, some tourists on both sides are not familiar with these attractive products. It is against that background that Ugandan and Kenyan sector players are partnering to promote tourism on either side.

“We need to leverage our strength and foster awareness, collaborate and synergize our marketing efforts to promote tourism,” said Pearl Kakooza, the Chairperson of Uganda Tourism Board said.

“We need to grow the ties together, sell Africa tourism but it is important for this country to partner with Uganda Airlines as a gateway to the country to promote tourism,” said Patrick Kamanga, the chairperson of Kenya Association of Travel Agency – Coastal Region

The number of tourists visiting from both destinations is steadily increasing. In 2023, the number of Ugandans visiting Kenya rose from 150,000 in 2022 to 201,620 (Source; Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report 2023- Kenya), accounting for 10% of all tourist arrivals in Kenya in 2023, making Uganda the second biggest source market for Kenya, behind the United States of America.

Similarly, the number of Kenyans visiting Uganda in 2023 stood at 490,000, which made Kenya the biggest source market for Uganda (Source; Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities- Uganda).

The High Commissioner of Kenya to Uganda, Ambassador Joash Maangi underscored the need for both countries to offer more budget friendly travel and tour packages to grow sustainable domestic tourism.

“We understand both countries are reaping big from the tourism sector but to propel the sector to new heights, we need to offer more budget friendly packages to encourage more domestic tourists to travel,” Maangi noted.

The visionary collaboration aims at promoting their distinct yet complementary tourism products, a move set to transform regional tourism dynamics. This bilateral engagement focuses on leveraging the unique strengths of each nation to create a powerful awareness campaign highlighting their attractive natural resources.

Joint marketing efforts, cross-border tourism packages, and coordinated conservation initiatives are just a few of the strategies being employed to achieve these goals. This collaboration underscores the importance of regional cooperation in the tourism sector, demonstrating that when countries work together, they can create a more robust and sustainable industry.

As Uganda and Kenya showcase their complementary attractions to the world, they are not only boosting their own tourism sectors but also setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

With this initiative, both nations hope to attract a diverse range of visitors, from adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts to cultural explorers and eco-conscious travellers.

The synergistic approach promises to enhance the tourism experience, offering a more comprehensive and enriched journey through the heart of East Africa.