KAMPALA – The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2020) is an effort to showcase Uganda as a full package destination and will open doors for local players to do business internationally, Ms. Lilly Ajarova, the UTB Chief Executive Officer has (Uganda Tourism Board) has said.
She was on Tuesday morning, briefing the media at Protea Hotel in Kampala, about the upcoming POATE 2020, now in its fifth edition. The expo which will too attract international stakeholders is scheduled for February 4-6, at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.
The annual tourism event in the East African region brings together travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, destination managers and other service providers in the tourism business.
Ms Ajarova says POATE has done well to promote Destination Uganda and showcasing the country as a full package.
“The 5th Edition of POATE will build upon what we already did in the first four editions,” she said.
“Uganda business operators sign contracts with buyers being brought in to experience Uganda tourism first hand so as to follow up and sign contracts with buyers who are from different countries of Europe, Kenya and more,” she said.
Several tour operators and international media are expected to set foot in Uganda today and will be flagged off to tour the countryside to experience the attractions and the amenities ahead of the expo.
During the Expo, seminar sessions with experts sharing subjects related to tourism will also be conducted with 5 sessions tackling topics on sustainable tourism development, accommodation, accessibility in Africa, tourism and connectivity and also discuss the emerging trends in the tourism sector.
POATE will be sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Uganda Airways, Uganda Tourism Association, individual tourism operators, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Sheraton Hotel among other partners.
