
Before we jump on to the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo – POATE 2023 which is slated for 8th to 11th February 2023 and how it is affecting the Tourism Industry in Uganda, we should remember that Uganda’s tourism industry is still struggling to recover from the effects of the covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. With Uganda being on the list of countries which had the longest covid lockdowns, many tour operators especially those in the hospitality sector had to close.
Why it matters: As Uganda is recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is again struggling to recover from the challenges of Ebola which has forced other countries to issue travel advisories on Uganda.
POATE 2023 will happen from 8th to 11th February 2023
UGANDA TOURISM BOARD
Tour operators have again suffered a huge investment loss as most of the Tourists are cancelling their bookings. This comes as a time when operators had resorted to lending institutions to help then prepare for the post covid business operations. Already most of them had lost property to lending institutions for non payment of their loan obligations which happended during the lockdowns.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo -POATE 2023 is a government of Uganda initiative to market Uganda as a destination. It also but again bring tour operators in Uganda and the world in discussion on how to reopen the industry.
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The expo brings on board peer to peer and expert discussions that is expected to influence policy and practice procedures in an industry that seems to be in comma.
The big Picture: Uganda is one of the leading tour destinations in Africa with a number of UNESCO accredited sites.
The country is loved for it’s wildlife in it’s natural habitat like the Mountain Gorillas, African Elephants, Tree climbing lions, the beautiful birds, natural water bodies like River Nile, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Victoria. The amazing sceneries, the highly hospitable people, the foods, etc.
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In Numbers:
- 100 hosted buyers
- 300 exhibitors
- 5,000 trade visitors and consumers.
- 1086 confirmed bird species as of August 2021.
- Over 400 mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest of Uganda
6.Uganda has close to 20 waterfalls.
What they say: According to Uganda Tourism Board -UTB, the organisers of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo -POATE 2023, the Expo is Uganda’s Flagship tourism and trade expo which will bring together tourism and travel trade partners from Uganda and all over the world to meet new clients, network, and discuss tourism business deals. The 2023 edition will happen from 8th to 11th February 2023.

The Expo will take place in Kampala and is expected to attract over 100 hosted buyers, 300 exhibitors including tourism Boards, Corporate Companies and over 5,000 trade visitors and consumers