The Uganda-Kenya Coast collaboration is built on complementarity other than competition because each of the two destinations has features that are unique to them and therefore creating joint, complementary itineraries will draw in a pool of tourists, Counsel General for the Uganda-Mombasa Consulate Ambassador Paul Mukumbya has said.
Ambassador Mukumbya made the remarks yesterday while addressing the second Uganda-Kenya Coast Conference which is underway at the Diani Reef hotel in Kware County, Mombasa.
After the successful inaugural conference which was held in Mombasa at Pride INN in November 2022, the stakeholders recommended that the conference be an annual event hence the second tourism conference and excursions.
“Kenya Coast has features like the beautiful beaches and historical attractions that Uganda does not have. The coast boasts sites like Fort Jesus, the Vasco da Gama pillar while destination Uganda has the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, adventure tourism on the River Nile, Kampala nightlife among others which highlight the difference in products that can complement each other,” Amb. Mukumbya said.
He added, “Uganda is the number two source market for Kenya after the USA and there is a big market to tap into if the two destinations develop complementary itineraries that sell the two destinations under one itinerary.”
With over 500 participants from Uganda and the Kenya Coast, the conference kickstarted with a speed dating activity between the Ugandan tour operators and their Kenyan counterparts.
It was highlighted that 150,900 Ugandans travelled to Kenya in 2022 with Uganda being the third source market to Kenya while 367,249 Kenyans visited Uganda. This, stakeholders said, calls for the need to refocus the strategy so as to get more Ugandans into Kenya and especially the coast.
Amb. Mukumbya emphasized the need for tour operators to visit the attractions and not be ‘google tour operators’. This, he said, will improve product knowledge.
The opening was graced by Uganda’s Hon. Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of foreign affairs, Hon. Mulimba John.
Hon. Mulimba noted that destination Diani has benefitted immensely from Uganda as a tourism source market and this propelled the inception of the Uganda-Mombasa route by Uganda Airlines.
“This event enhances cooperation and trade between the two countries with key stakeholders brought together and avenues for collaboration sought after. Cultural exchange will be built through open dialogue and collaboration that will promote a sense of unity and diversity. Possibilities for joint ventures will be sought to encourage and increase tourism that will lead to sustainable development,” Mulimba said.
He noted that creating awareness on the tourism products within the two destinations will create a pool of tourists between Uganda and Kenya.