Tourism industry gears up for the annual Pearl Of Africa Expo

TOURISM

Come 2020 and the tourism fraternity is pregnant with great expectations as they prepare for the annual Pearl Of Africa Expo scheduled for February 4-6.

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) CEO Lilly Ajarova says while last year the theme was birding this time round it will be promoting Intra Africa Travel.

"We are targeting Africa to Africa travel," said Ajarova. "This comes after African Union easing accessibility through treaties. Our goal is to exploit this opportunity."

Unlike previous Expos this time round UTB has an online portal on their Website where interested participants can book space on line. It operates 24/7 and furnished with details of what to find there and who is participating.

"In store will be discussions about our products, catering, transport and lots more," said Ajarova. "Already we have received requests business related discussions from some participants coming from South Africa, Kenya and West Africa."

There will be online discussions on #VisitUganda and #Poate2020 on it will be the profiles of key presenters.

Other than that, expected are tour operators from Europe, USA and Asia as it were last year. The week long expo will have destination buyers and journalists tour the popular destinations like Kidepo Valley National Park, Gorilla Track in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, mountain climbing and Bird watching.

"The menu of attractions Uganda is endowed with is getting longer by the day," said the UTB marketing manager Clair Mugabi. "Besides discovering more bird species we now have the Cycad grass in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ask and what you want and the guides will show you where it is."

Flashback

The same even last year had more than 13 destination buyers from USA, EU and Asia who were taken bird watching on the shores of Lake Victoria, in Budongo Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

"Seeing a gorilla was a bonus that will stay on my mind for the rest of my life," said Tom Bird from UK. "I had always seen these great apes on National Geographic. Better still I had never logged more than 400 new species of birds on my list till I came to Uganda."

Another participant Peter Waander from Australia had his total of birds seen add up to 4000.

"Kibale Forest dropped my jaw," said Waander. "I have been birding in Asia, Europe and USA. There one has to drive 30 miles to see one species and another 30 miles for more. But here we were logging 10-20."

During the workshops that crowned the expo the participants revealed how their followers have increased since they posted a Shoebill seen in Mabamba Swamp.

"I have more than 400 requests for birders from different parts of the world," said Corry Finger from USA. "They have spent decades scouting the world for a shoebill but all has been in vain."

Mention was also made of Hilton Group of Hotels intends to open a facility in Uganda to compete with the existing 1800 existing ones.