260 exhibitors register for POATE 2025
“In terms of participation, over 1,000 people have already booked. For the exhibition, we have so far registered, 100 host buyers from countries around the world have expressly registered with us, in addition to 260 stalls that have already been booked,” Lyaz said.
This annual tourism and travel trade show, which is expected to draw hundreds of people, is slated for 21st - 24th May 2025, at Speke Resort and Convention Centre in Munyonyo, in Kampala. (Credit: John Ricks Kayizzi)
KAMPALA - Over 260 exhibitors from around the world have so far booked stalls for the 9th “Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2025,” officials have revealed.
This annual tourism and travel trade show, which is expected to draw hundreds of people, is slated for 21st - 24th May 2025, at Speke Resort and Convention Centre in Munyonyo, in Kampala.
In a media interview about the preparations, Vivian Lyaz, the commissioner for tourism, said that currently, over 1,000 participants have registered to take part in the fair, including 250 exhibitors.
“In terms of participation, over 1,000 people have already booked. For the exhibition, we have so far registered, 100 host buyers from countries around the world have expressly registered with us, in addition to 260 stalls that have already been booked,” he said.
He said they are planning to put up more stalls after the 250 they had erected were booked out.
Lyaz said the exhibitors who have confirmed participation are from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.
“We also have travel operators and travel media who are coming in from all over the world. Specifically, we have people from UK, France, Spain, Hungary, United States, Canada, Brazil, the Middle East and China,” he said, adding that some of these are part of the advanced teams, who are capturing pictures and information about Uganda, to share it with prospective visitors and participants.
“Others come to interact with our people on the ground, make bookings, understand the destination better.”
Lyaz said this year’s expo, under the theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," aims to bring together tourism stakeholders, international buyers, investors and media representatives to experience the diverse offerings of Uganda's tourism sector.
The event will also serve as a platform to showcase Uganda’s unique attractions and experiences, enhancing its visibility on the international tourism map.
He said that additionally, the “Tell Your Story – Explore Uganda” Campaign, which is running alongside the expo, is a storytelling initiative that encourages Ugandans to share their most captivating tourism experiences through videos, photos and written content.
“This campaign aims to foster nationwide engagement in domestic tourism, inviting citizens to narrate their unique experiences and promote the beauty of Uganda’s landscapes and cultures through an immersive audio-visual journey.”