This Thursday 06th December, Uganda will host the first annual coffee, Tourism Symposium and Exhibition under the theme ‘’Unlocking Uganda’s Coffee Tourism Potential’’ at Golden Tulip Hotel.
This Conference and exhibition aims to bring together key industry stakeholders in the coffee and tourism sub-sectors to discuss on how the gains and potential in both sub-sectors can be enhanced.
Coffee Tourism CEO, Mrs Joan Kantu Else, says, ‘’Coffee and Tourism are some of the biggest contributors to Uganda’s GDP, Secondly where there’s tourism attraction, coffee grows. It’s from this view that we have been motivated to organise the Symposium ‘’.
Government of Uganda through the coffee Roadmap aims to increase coffee exports from the current 4.6 million (60Kgs) bags per year to 20 million (60kg) bags by 2025.
While Uganda is considered a major coffee supplier on the Global market, the country’s coffee does not feature in the world’s 15 top value earning coffee exporting countries which still stands a challenge.
Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye, Managing Director at UCDA states that, ‘’ Uganda Coffee Development Authority is determined to move Uganda’s position from just a top African producer to a top global exporter of premium coffee. We believe that partnering with the tourism fraternity in this Symposium will enable us achieve this target sooner or later’’.
Coffee Tourism involves linking together coffee farmers to consumers under a farm-to-cup approach, with consumers touring farms and sharing their experience with the farmers. The feedback from the tourists aids in increased production of high quality coffee and thus boosts returns.
Uganda Tourism Board CEO, Mr Steven Asiimwe comments that taking consumers to the farm and ensuring they have all amenities they need interms of transport , accommodation and on-farm experiences will encourage incremental earnings as farmers and those in hospitality and tourism industries gain prominence due to global exposure.
Mr Glenn Jampol, renowned coffee expert, President of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee plantation and international sustainable tourism expert from Costa Rica and Ms Judy Kepher-Gona, a travel and tourism expert from Kenya will be key speakers at the Symposium.
The conference expects to host atleast 180 delegates and 20 exhibitors during the inaugural event and these will include; Tour operators, coffee farmers, hoteliers and others involved in the hospitality and coffee industry. It will provide and opportunity for these stake holders to meet, establish business relationships and discuss coffee tourism opportunities and ways to improve the business.
Mr. Steven Asiimwe mentioned that this conference will be an annual Coffee and Tourism Symposium which aims to increase growth in the number of participants.
The Conference is organised by Coffee Tourism Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the Uganda Local Government Association.
