After a successful second edition of the Uganda-Kenya Coast Conference which was held in Kwale County at the Diani Reef hotel, it has been announced that the next edition will be held in Kampala, Uganda in November 2024 while Kilifi is set to host the 2025 edition.
The inaugural Uganda-Kenya Coast Conference was held in Mombasa at Pride Inn in November 2022.
While hosting the conference delegates to a luncheon at Hemingways Hotel in Watamu, the Governor of the Coastal County of Kilifi, H.E Gideon Mung’aro noted that the conference marks an important step towards fostering synergies and exploring opportunities that not only benefit the respective countries but also contribute to the advancement of Coastal Kenya and East Africa as a whole.
In his remarks, the Governor said Kilifi is more than ready to host the 2925 conference, shedding light on the unique experiences the county has to offer.
“Kilifi County is a treasure trave of natural wonders, culture richness and untapped opportunities in the tourism sphere. Our pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs and lush landscapes have the power to captivate hearts and minds. Kilifi county is more than just a tourist destination, it is in itself an invitation to explore a wealth of experiences,” Governor Mung’aro said while addressing his guests at the luncheon.
The Governor said he is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for Kilifi and Uganda.
In an effort to revamp Kilifi as a tourist destination, the county tourism stakeholders recently launched a new product dubbed the Kenya Riviera, a package that combines safari and the coastal experiences for tourists to have a holistic feel of Africa. The Kenya Riviera is a “unique place in the world, a true paradise where the wildest nature coexists with spectacular beaches of fine sand.”
According to the Governor, the benefits of the collaboration go beyond expanding the foreign exchange avenue, creating jobs for the various categories of people in the tourism value chain.
“With its pristine beaches, rich marine life and vibrant communities, Kilifi offers a unique experience that I believe resonates with our friends from Uganda. The overall visitor arrivals to Kenya have been on the rise since Covid-19. These numbers can double or triple with this kind of collaborative efforts where we complement other than compete. As a government, we are committed to making tourism a success,” he said.
He called on tour operators from Uganda and Kenya to leverage their respective strengths in the bid to popularize cross-border tourism.
“I am aware that this Uganda-Kenya Coast Conference and fam trip will be hosted in Uganda next year and Kilifi is slated to be the host in 2025. I am delighted to say that we are more than ready to play host to all the Ugandans willing to attend this engagement,” Governor Mung’aro said.
As was the case after the first conference in Kenya, a Kenyan delegation will visit Uganda for a familiarization trip from November 22 to December 3rd.
The delegation is expected to tour cultural and religious sites such as the famous Martyrs Shrine at Namugongo and the cultural plug, Ndere Centre all in Kampala. The fam trip will also take the delegation on safari in Uganda’s famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla trekking, game drive in Murchison Falls national Park in addition to experiencing the nightlife in Uganda’s cities.