Uganda hosts global tourism congress
Nov 10, 2014
Uganda is hosting the 39th World Congress of the Africa Travel Association (ATA), with over 300 regional and foreign delegates due to attend.
By Taddeo Bwambale
Global spotlight will be on Uganda as the east African nation hosts the 39th World Congress of the Africa Travel Association (ATA), with over 300 regional and foreign delegates expected to attend.
The six-day annual event to be held at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo provides players in the tourism industry from across the world the opportunity for business networking.
Stephen Asiimwe, the executive director of the Uganda Tourism Board and one of the speakers at the congress said the event would promote Africa and Uganda as an investment destination.
“The event attracts top tour and travel players to discuss among others investment and promotion of tourism in Africa beyond,” Asiimwe told New Vision.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to officially open the congress that will be graced by a host of global speakers.
Key activities include an Africa Tourism Ministers’ roundtable, media symposium, culinary tourism session, a young professionals’ forum and the Uganda International Tourism Expo at Uganda Museum.
The First Lady, Janet Museveni will preside over an ATA Patron’s Dinner and Awards to recognise outstanding players in the sector.
According to Asiimwe, Bill Perkins, the New York State Senator and America’s most respected frontline travel news journalist, Peter Greenberg, will grace the event as guest speakers.
Delegates will be treated to a Cultural Night, a Nile Adventure Day led by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and a trip to Uganda’s national parks by international media.
Susan Muhwezi, the President of the ATA Uganda chapter, said the congress would expose Uganda and Africa’s tourism potential to the US market.
The last congress was held in Cameroon in 2003. Uganda hosted ATA’s 8th Eco and Cultural Tourism symposium in 2004.
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