In bid to sell out and advertise the Ugandan tourism potential to the entire world, the Uganda Tourism Board has continued to creatively build on the tourism brand. Due to the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cairo, Egypt, thousands of revelers continue to flock the capital. On the contrary, Uganda Tourism Board has set forward and used this as a platform for promoting her tourism products and services.
On 2nd July 2019, Uganda Tourism Board organized the “AFCON 2019 night on the Nile” in Cairo, an event intended to promote Uganda tourism products in Egypt and encourage more Egyptian travelers to the Pearl of Africa.
The glamourous night cruise party saw a whooping number of revelers all full of fun and delight. The party attracted over 200 outbound tours and travel operators in Egypt who were hosted to a fun full night cruise on the world’s longest river, River Nile.
At the event, Uganda Tourism Board showcased Uganda’s top tourist attractions including wildlife, culture, mountains, and people after which Uganda was dubbed the Pearl of Africa.
Making up the entourage at the Nile cruise night were officials from Uganda Tourism Board, Aggrey Ashaba, the football club chairman, officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), businessmen from all over the world, member of Uganda and Egypt parliaments plus many journalists from various media houses especially from Uganda and Egypt.
The splendid tourism night was a platform for networking between Tourism operators in Uganda and those in Egypt. It was an opportunity for travel operators from Uganda and Egypt to share experiences and knowledge on how to promote tourism and increase the number of tourist arrivals to Uganda and Egypt.
The cruise that was dubbed “AFCON 2019 Ugandan Night on the Nile” aimed at showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions, culture and cuisine to the Egyptian market as well as attending African Cup of Nations delegates from various countries.
Mr. Eddie Kirya, UTB board member noted that the Ugandan night was meant to foster tourism, provide a networking platform as well as further cement the existing tourism relations between Uganda and Egypt.
He noted, “As you may all be aware, Uganda and Egypt share a longstanding relationship that has thrived for decades. We share the River Nile with Uganda having the source. Today, we are here to showcase to you, several other tourist attractions that Uganda is well-known for. Currently we get an average of only 3500 Egyptian tourists and we are positive about the potential for these numbers to go up.”
“Like Egypt, Uganda has a unique culture with kingdoms spanning a history from hundreds of years. Ours is a unique Ugandan tale by a warm and welcoming people. We hope that you can come to Uganda to not only experience this, but our unique wildlife and the source of the River Nile.”
Uganda’s Ambassador to Egypt, H.E Sam Male in his remarks emphasized the significance of healthy bi-lateral relations as a key component to image building and luring as many tourists and investors to the country.
“I am happy that we have been able to host so many dignitaries to this Uganda Tourism Night. This is a very important step in opening up Uganda’s tourism potential to the Egyptian and continental market. We have several other opportunities that you can take advantage of in Uganda. My office is open to helping you in whatever way,” he said.
On behalf of UTB, Kirya presented a painting of life size Mountain Gorilla to the ambassador and urged him to place it at the Ugandan Embassy in Cairo so as to continue showcasing Uganda’s Tourist attractions.
Maha Gamil, a renowned female painter from Egypt also did live canvas paintings of Uganda’s tourist attractions.
There were testimonies of the Ugandan tourism experience, testimonies about Uganda – unquestionably the “Pearl of Africa”, sharing of AFCON 2019 moments, sampling of the different Ugandan cuisines and cake cutting.
Stalls had also been set up aboard the ship and were selling traditional and cultural Uganda merchandise.
A team from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and Uganda Tourism Board, are in Egypt to not only promote and market destination Uganda, but also rally support for the national team.
Also, the tourism night was organized to strengthen and push further the already existing tourism relations between Uganda and Egypt.
Conclusively, the hosting of the African Cup of Nations in Cairo has come with great doles for Uganda. The Uganda Tourism night in Cairo will with perhaps replicate to an increased number of Egyptian tourists to Uganda, who will improve the tourism industry in the pearl of Africa and also strengthening the ties between Uganda and Egypt. Kudos!!
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