Uganda wins Gold at Indaba in South Africa

Uganda won Gold for being the best exhibitor at the recently concluded Africa’s Travel Indaba 2019 expo held in South Africa. This award is not a surprise because the country has on two other occasions emerged as best exhibitor at Africa Travels Indaba-in 2015 and 2016.

This year’s award was presented by South Africa’s President-Cyril Ramaphosa to Uganda’s Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu. Represented by Uganda Tourism Board-the country’s marketing agency, Uganda beat other countries like Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia in the same category.  In addition to Indaba, the country was recognized as best exhibitor in several Expos including the Kenya Tourism Expo, Internationale Tourismus- Börse Berlin (ITB-Berlin), Bird Fair in London as well as the World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

Opened on 2^nd May 2019 in Durban, this year’s edition lasted three days and ended on 4^th May. Indaba is Africa’s best and largest annual tour and travel fair, and so far the third biggest annual tourism expo in the World attracting over 1000 exhibitors as well as 1500 buyers. According to Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer Uganda Tourism Board, the win clearly shows that Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is now positioning herself to take its place as “the leading tourist destination in Africa and beyond. She also pointed that a lot of work was put into Uganda’s exhibition stall to ensure that it entails all tourism products (cultural heritage and wildlife) in the country while allowing enough space for close interaction with potential clients. Similarly, Uganda’s stalls always have bee hive activities at most global expos in which she participates and has many times received accolades for creative showcase and engagements.

Uganda’s eco-friendly stall was grass thatched with well-lit canvas on which the word Uganda was printed in large black front, and adorned with different photographs of Mountain gorillas and shoebill storks as well as a televised display of what the country offers tourism-wise.

Lilly Ajarova boasted that Uganda’s win is a testament to the country’s tremendous natural endowment and also signifies that the World is appreciating her (Uganda) tourism potential. This therefore calls for a collaborative effort towards marketing Uganda to the World because the Pearl of Africa offers the most ultimate tourist experience. Also, this award shows what Uganda is like and has not only showcased our culture but also our uniqueness which amazed the organizers. There is a lot to offer to the International Market and due to the country’s unsurpassed beauty, she has been ranked by International platforms including Lonely Planet, CNN, National Geographic, Rough Guides and BBC among others, says Minster Kamuntu.

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are some of the few Government Agencies that attended the 2019 Africa Travels Indaba. Additionally, at least 13 tour operators including Abacus African Vacations, Asyanut Safaris and Incentives, Bantu Africa Travel, East African Vacations, Gecko Safaris, Parkview Safaris and Lodges, Nkuringo Safaris Ltd, Speke Uganda Holidays, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Chimpanzee Trust and Uganda Safari Chapter among others were also present during the Trade fair.

The Africa Travels Indaba is an outstanding tourism expo hosted by the South African Tourism and, was attended by both buyers and sellers from all over the World at the International Convention Center within Durban, South Africa. It is also the prime business-business exhibition for Africa’s leisure Travel industry drawing the World to the Continent and leading Africa to the World’s top source markets. In addition to Uganda, the fair usually features exhibitions by different African countries including Rwanda, Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Madagascar among others.