Uganda Tourism Board is set to launch its 4th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo scheduled from 4th to 6th February 2020. While there, Uganda Tourism Board will disclose and market its new tourism products, which it has been developing. The pearl of Africa tourism expo is UTB’s event which takes place every year in East Africa, the initiative started in 2016 which the major aim of marketing and promoting Uganda’s tourism products to East Africa and the whole globe. This year, POATE is aimed at incorporating business to business (B2B) with Business to Consumer Expo. This will, in turn, promote intra Africa tourism for leisure, business, and adventure encouraging many travelers to come and explore the Pearl of Africa. This will absolutely raise Uganda’s profile as a leading tourism destination in Africa and at the globe.
More so, the expo brings together travel agents, hotel owners, destination managers, travel operators, service providers and travelers from different parts of the country. In other words, POATE is a platform for people in different fields of tourism to come together, discuss and lay strategies to ensure memorable travel experiences. Participants in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo will have a great opportunity to meet new clients, network and also a market for their products.
Uganda Tourism Products to be marketed in POATE
A variety of tourism products offered in Uganda will be exhibited in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo. Among the products that will be marketed at POATE include:
Mountain gorillas:
Dwelling in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, mountain gorillas are a major tourist attraction in the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is home to over 500 mountain gorillas, which make up half of the world’s total gorilla numbers. In order to make gorilla trekking easy, Uganda Wildlife Authority has habituated Uganda gorillas into 18 gorilla groups 17 of which live in Bwindi Forest while one Nyakageyezi family lives in Mgahinga Forest. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of 8 people per day for an hour’s interaction. A single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 or east Africa residents. Over 60% of travelers to Uganda choose mountain gorilla trekking on their top bucket list.
Game Viewing
Game viewing is yet another exceptional travel experience you should not miss on your Uganda safari. Game drives are done in open savannah parks of Uganda which are Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo National Parks. Animals to see in Uganda include giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, Rhinos, Hyenas, Uganda kobs, Eland, impalas, waterbucks and warthogs among others. Game drives are done in the morning and evening to catch up with wild animals feeding before retiring for day and night rests.
Chimpanzee trekking
Go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura gorge and Budongo Forest to have a close encounter with chimpanzees.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Uganda is also home to the endangered golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100 for all travelers, which makes it affordable for even, budget travelers. Other monkey species in Uganda include colobus monkey, red-tailed monkeys blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white monkeys among others.
Mountain climbing
Hike to the summit of the snow-capped mount Rwenzori, the third highest mountain in Africa. The 10 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking safari takes you to Margherita, the highest peak of this tall mountain. Other volcanoes in Uganda include Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhabura, Mt Sabyinyo, and Mt Elgon. Physical fitness is key for anyone coming for a hiking trip.
In conclusion, expos have the ability to bring the world together in one room and hence the most powerful marketing tool for businesses especially those who prefer face to face negotiations.
