Traveltalk was invited to an exclusive working lunch and tourism roadshow in Sydney to learn more about Uganda and its myriad attractions.
A high-powered delegation of tourism officials are touring the country to promote Uganda to the Australian market and establish links with key suppliers, tour operators and travel agents.
Led by Her Excellency Dorothy S. Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, the trade mission includes representatives of the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Left to right: Jacqueline Penina, Uganda Wildlife Authority; Her Excellency Dorothy S. Hyuha, High Commissioner; Francis Nyende, Uganda Tourism Board; Bradford Ochieng, Uganda Tourism Board
“Sir Winston Churchill remarked that he had never seen any better place in the world than Uganda in terms of natural beauty and he christened it ‘The Pearl of Africa’ and it is still the situation today,” said Ms Hyuha.
“Uganda is very safe, beautiful, welcoming and inviting, so come visit and explore the Pearl of Africa. Book your tickets today.”
Ms Hyuha said the roundtable discussion and roadshow provided a great platform for Ugandan and Australian tourism players to network before outlining the key objectives of their mission.
“We wish to strengthen collaboration between Uganda and Australian tourism,” she added.
“We hope to develop recommendations and strategies for promoting Uganda tourism here in Australia and the entire Pacific region, but also eventually to increase the numbers of tourists to Uganda from Australia and the Pacific region.”
While Uganda is rightly famous for being home to more than half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, the country also has a host of other attractions.
It houses Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, 10 national parks, some 55 tribes with different cultures and languages, and a wide diversity of wildlife, including more than 1,000 species of birds.
“We are one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, from snowy peaks to valleys to rain forests, all still in their natural form and with vast flora and fauna,” said Mr Francis Nyende, Marketing Manager, Uganda Tourism Board.
“The whole world talks about the Big Five, but we talk about the Big Seven. We have all the Big Five but we also have chimpanzees and gorillas as well.
“We also have very friendly people – Uganda is ranked as one of the friendliest countries in the world – so maybe we should call it the Big Eight?”
Mr Nyende said the Ugandan government was keen to attract investors in tourism products within the country and encourage journalists, operators and travel agents to experience Uganda firsthand.
“I keep on telling people, when you come to Uganda, you actually get a piece of Africa in one place.”
“They say the vibe of Africa finds its home in Uganda. We are not hospitable by accident.”
That hospitality was on show later in the evening when more than 50 travel agents attended the roadshow event, learning more about the country and enjoying some traditional dancing.
Asked by Traveltalk if Uganda Tourism was prepared to compete with many other countries for the hearts and minds of Aussie travellers and promote here for the long haul, the High Commissioner had a simple answer. “Why not?”
Why not, indeed.
The 2025 Uganda Tourism Roadshow will be in Perth on October 27 and Melbourne October 30.
