Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Government of Uganda’s destination marketing organization has at the Uganda Tourism Trade and Investment Forum 2021, held at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights on the 5^th of October 2021, announced the launch of a revitalized and strengthened multi-level tourism promotional push to attract residents of the UAE and Gulf Countries to choose Uganda as their preferred destination for luxury adventure, once-in-a-life-time experiences, and reconnection programs with nature, culture and the Ugandan people. The announcement was made in conjunction with Uganda’s participation at Expo 2020, and the launch of inaugural direct flights by Uganda Airlines to Dubai.

Speaking at the Uganda Forum and heading a delegation of 15 tourism officials and key professionals from the Ugandan tourism industry, Ms. Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Tourism Board commented: “Uganda Tourism Board is extremely excited to launch our revitalised international travel program targeting the UAE and GCC specifically, our presence this week in Dubai, along with the launch of Expo 2020 and the launch of Uganda Airlines flights to Dubai makes this mission extremely poignant and meaningful.”

Uganda has exceptional direct flight connectivity between Uganda and the UAE, with Emirates flying 5 times a week and flydubai daily flights from Dubai, and Air Arabia operating 3 flights a week from Sharjah starting the 10^th of October. Uganda Airlines touched down in Dubai for the first time on October 4^th, 2021, and now operates scheduled flights 3 times a week. Qatar Airways also operates daily direct flights from Doha.

Using the wide variety of carriers and flight options available, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), will launch a number of partnerships and marketing initiatives and activations, to ensure exciting, quality-focused tourism offerings are made available to UAE and Gulf Country residences seeking rejuvenation, exhilaration, a reconnection to nature and people and touches of meaningful luxury moments in a covid-safe environment.

The activities kick off with a series of tourism seminars and workshops in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi on October 10^th and 11^th respectively, for the UAE’s leading outbound travel professionals, and meetings and incentive planners. The Ugandan Pavilion at Expo 2020 will also feature opportunities for all visitors to learn what Uganda has to offer as travel destination, as well as discovery travel packages with value-added offers. Throughout the coming months a plethora of digital marketing, social media campaigns as well as the hosting of UAE media, influencers and key travel agents will also be conducted to spread the word of Uganda as the Pearl of Africa.

Representing the hotel and hospitality industry, Susan Muhwezi, the Vice Chairperson Uganda Tourism Board and Chairperson Uganda Hotel Owners Association said, “The Ugandan tourism industry is committed to reaching out to the UAE and surrounding Gulf countries on many levels. Through consumer and travel trade marketing, exceptional holiday experiences will be created and communicated to entice visitors. Additionally, we are also committed to engage with the UAE’s many hotel suppliers, hospitality and tourism training professionals to ensure that our two tourism industries are well connected in a myriad of levels.”

In addition to a comprehensive roll out of marketing activities from this month into the New Year, our marketing programs in the UAE will be further enhanced as we will also look to make the UAE and the Middle East region the first international market to launch our new branding campaign that will be launched in early 2022. With our representative office located in Dubai, our commitment to this market is strong and long term, concluded Ajarova.