The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Belgian development agency, Enabel Uganda announced their partnership aimed at the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism practices in Uganda’s tourism industry.
This was unveiled on Tuesday 21st May at the Kampala Serena Hotel ahead of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) which kicks off on Thursday, May 23rd at Speke Resort Convention Center Munyonyo.
According to Lilly Ajarova the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the partnership with Enabel is focused on promoting sustainability – making places better for people to live in and better places for people to visit.
She said that tourism has the power to change travel, improve living standards, and contribute to the maintenance of natural heritage, and celebration of cultural diversity.
“We strongly believe that the promotion of sustainability will bring us to the achievement of this SDG but also point us to the rest of the sustainable development goals and the attainment of the NRM Manifesto and the NDP(I),” she noted.
Ajarova also noted that sustainability is an aspiration whereby it can only be realized if we all take responsibility for making tourism sustainable.
“We hope that the new partnership with Enabel Uganda will work to position Uganda among the top 10 sustainable tourism destinations in Africa in the next future years. And in addition, make Uganda a future fit destination- this means operating in a way that doesn’t harm people or the environment,” Lilly Ajarova added.
The CEO also highlighted that together with Enabel, UTB will host the Sustainability and Fair-Trade Awards on Saturday 25th May 2024 at the Speke Resort Convention Centre. At the event, which is the closing ceremony of the 8th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2024.
“We will recognize exhibitors that will showcase sustainability in their participation but also, the early adopters of the Fair Trade. We will look out for the best sustainable booths, sustainable tourism operations as well as how fair trade is weaved in the daily operations of the tourism enterprises,” she concluded.
Tom Vanneste the Resident Representative Enabel Uganda noted that this partnership with UTB aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable and fair trade tourism to encourage travelers to make more responsible choices when visiting Uganda.
“By working together, we are hoping to promote environmentally friendly practices, support community development initiatives, and preserve Uganda’s natural and cultural heritage,” he said.
This partnership is part of this year’s edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo. An annual event organized by the Uganda Tourism Board aimed at showcasing Uganda’s tourism offerings to both domestic and international visitors.
The expo brings together key stakeholders in the tourism industry, including tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents, and government officials, to promote Uganda as a premier tourism destination.
This year’s edition will happen at Speke Resort Munyonyo from 23rd – 25th May 2024 under the theme; Responsible Tourism.
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