The 2023 Pearl of Africa Expo (POATE) attracted hundreds of exhibitors from Africa and all over the world including countries like Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Canada, UK, Germany, Poland, USA among others.
The 7th edition of POATE was commenced on Wednesday 26th April at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda and it will be running for 3 days from 26th – 29th April 2023.
During the opening ceremony, Tom Butiime the minister of tourism in Uganda revealed that tourism remains one of the fastest growing industries in the country previously contributing to over USD 1.6b accounting for 7.7% of the national GDP and it’s is projected as the economy fully recovers, the earnings from tourism will be more than double.
He further noted that Uganda tourism board (UTB) should work closely with the private sector and the Uganda hotel training institute (UHTTI) to skill the workforce in the tourism sector training workers for the smooth operation of duties hence promoting ethics within the sector which will in turn market the country.
“Following the presidential directive last week, the sector received the government assurance on the establishement of the regional airports in close proximity to national parks and if it’s implemented tourists will now able to land in these attractions in their private jets,” he said.
He also said that the UTB shall work with the private sector to brand all the conservation areas including the hotels to create an excellent atmosphere of industry duties.
James Macbeth Forbes the country director of GIZ in Uganda said that his fellow team in Arusha supports East African integration with the aim of strengthening sustainable and inclusive social economic development of the region.
“Tourism plays a key role in the EAC – GIZ partnership because it does not only offer employment possibilities and is vital for private sector development but also enables visitors from abroad and the region to explore, understand and cherish the natural heritage and biological diversity of East Africa,” he added.
He also pledged to work together with the East African community and partner states of tourism boards as well as the East African tourism platform on making ‘Destination East Africa’ a widely recognized global brand.
Elsie Ataffuah the Resident Representative of UNDP Uganda said that Africa is the youngest continent in the world so there’s need to create opportunities and tourism has the potential to foster economic development.
Attaffuah also noted that there’s need to invest in local and community driven initiatives whereby the government and tourism stakeholders need to shift from externally driven initiatives towards co-creating with local actors to develop tourism products and services.
“We need to go beyond community engagement to supporting community driven initiatives such as cottage industries like basket weavers, jewelry makers, potters and sculptors in a way of promoting eco-resorts and community-run enterprises,” she remarked.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is East Africa’s tourism signature event that brings together tourism stakeholders to one ideal meeting place to meet and network with exhibitors, buyers, investors and suppliers of services in the tourism sector from all over the world.
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