Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is set to host the 5th annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2020); a tourism and travel trade exhibition which brings together regional and international tour operators, travel agents, destination marketing agencies and various players in the tourism trade to network and facilitate tourism business. The three day expo will run from 4-6 February 2020 and will be held at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala.
POATE 2020 will integrate a business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) trade event format under the theme “Inspiring high value engagement to promote intra-Africa travel for leisure, business and adventure”, aimed at raising Uganda’s profile as a preferred destination in the region and internationally. There is a growing population of Africans, about 50 million, who are traveling every year. We want to increase on the number of these people who choose to come to Uganda.
As part of the activities to promote the expo, Uganda Tourism Board hosted a stakeholder meeting at Sheraton Kampala Hotel aimed to share updates and announce the preparations ahead of the biggest tourism showcase.
Attending stakeholders included; Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, UTB Board Directors, the president of the Uganda Tourism Association, tour operators, hotel owners and managers, travel and ticketing agencies, airline representatives, and tourism marketing consultants; among others.
According to the UTB Chairman, Hon. Daudi Migereko, Uganda is ready to host Africa, the world and all visitors that will be attending from various parts of the continent and world over. “We are uniquely placed at the moment given our standing as a country that has been voted many times by leading travel agencies and international media houses as one of the top destinations to visit in 2020. The peace and tranquility being enjoyed in Uganda is one of our key selling points at the moment.
He added that the revitalized Uganda Airlines gives us connectivity to market the country as well as provide connectivity from various African countries where it is currently flying and to deliver tourists and other passengers to Uganda.
Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, the state Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities who also attended the event announced that 10 ministers and over 30 MPs had confirmed attendance for POATE 2020. He also launched the POATE2020 App which is currently available on the google play store and iOS. He called upon stakeholders to continue providing constructive input and participating fully in the POATE program in order to ensure success of the same.
Requirements for POATE 2020 participation
UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova in her remarks noted that the primary requirements for #POATE2020 are in place. “The POATE website and portal is up, 67 hosted buyers and international media have been confirmed and travel trade are booking to exhibit. The portal is now open for matchmaking,” she noted.
The final program for #POATE2020 activities has been announced. This alongside any other information related to #POATE2020 can be found on the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo Official App on Google Play store.
The general public is encouraged to attend on February 6, 2020 and be part of the seminars and talks. Entrance is free for all on that day.