Seychelles Strengthens Ties with Chinese Market Through Successful 2024 Roadshow

Building on the success of its 2023 roadshow, Tourism Seychelles, with the support of the Seychelles Embassy in Beijing, has once again hosted a series of trade workshops across key Chinese cities, reaffirming its commitment to the flourishing Chinese market.

This year’s roadshow, headed by Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, Director for China & Japan, and Mr. Sam Yu, Senior Marketing Executive for China at Tourism Seychelles, took place between July 22nd to 31st, 2024. It covered the five major cities of Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.

The event brought together many key industry stakeholders, including tour operators, travel agencies, wholesalers, and media representatives. The roadshow provided a valuable platform for Tourism Seychelles and its Seychelles trade partners to engage in fruitful discussions, build relationships, and explore new business opportunities.

A special highlight of the roadshow was a networking meeting event organised in Beijing in collaboration with the Ambassador of Seychelles to China, Mrs Anne Lafortune, where partners were given insights and prevailing trends into the Chinese market. The discussions also explored the market’s opportunities and potential, offering a glimpse into what the future holds for local partners.

“This year’s roadshow has been a resounding success,” said Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-Lam, Director for China & Japan at the Tourism Department. “The strong turnout and enthusiastic participation from the Chinese travel professionals demonstrate the growing interest in Seychelles as a destination. We are particularly excited about the potential of the first few direct flights from Chengdu in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles and Chengdu, China, which will further enhance accessibility and boost visitor arrivals from this important market.”

The roadshow also served as an ideal platform to showcase the latest developments and offerings within the Seychelles tourism landscape. Seychelles trade partners actively participated in the workshops, sharing their expertise and promoting their unique products and services. These partners included:

DMC Partners: Ms. Shi Ming Wang, Chinese Representative – 7° South, Ms. Normandy Salabao, Senior Manager Sales & Marketing – Creole Travel Services, Mr. Chamika Ariyasinghe, Business Development Manager – Luxury Travel, Ms. Zhang Junhao, Chinese Marketing Representative – Sey Yeah, Mr. Aaron Zhang, Managing Director – Cheung Kong Travel, Ms. Jona Ladouce, Sales & Contracting Manager – Tirant Tours & Travel.

Representing the hotels were; Ms. Vivienne SU, Regional Marketing Director – Constance Hotels & Resorts, Ms. Shamita Palit, Sales Consultant – Le Duc de Praslin and laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort by Marriott, Mr. Sergey Elkin, Director of Sales & Marketing – Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare.

Also present was Chengdu Youth Travel Services (CYTS), the company working on the upcoming flights and packages to be made available to the different Chinese agents and potential visitors.

Speaking about the participation from Seychelles, Mr Lai Lam added, “The roadshow would not have been possible without the all-out support of our Seychelles trade partners. Their dedication and commitment have been instrumental in making this event a success.”

Following the event, Ms. Normandy Salabao, Senior Manager of Sales and Marketing from Creole Travels, expressed, “I’m thrilled to share positive feedback on Tourism Seychelles’ recent China roadshow. The event was exceptionally well organised, with engaging presentations and interactive elements that effectively captured the objectives of the roadshow. The team’s tailored approach for the Chinese market was impressive, resonating well with attendees, including well-chosen agents and tour operators, and fostering valuable connections.”

Ms. Shamita Palit, Sales Consultant at Le Duc de Praslin and laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort by Marriott, shared insightful feedback on the recent developments, highlighting that the potential direct flight from Chengdu offers connectivity, visibility, and reach that extends further than China to Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korean and Japan.

She noted that this success signifies an alliance extending beyond tourism to include commerce opportunities between the two countries, necessitating a collective effort from all areas of Government. Reflecting on her personal experience, Ms. Palit remarked that China had surpassed her expectations, offering infrastructure, technology, facilities, diversity, culture, and interests far beyond what she had envisioned.

Ms. Palit sees significant potential not only for inbound leisure tourism but also for corporate groups, incentive travel, enhanced trade imports from China, and even a niche market of outbound holidaymakers from Seychelles.

Seychelles is making significant strides in penetrating the Chinese market, highlighted by the introduction of the first direct, non-stop charter flight between Seychelles and Chengdu, China, operated by Sichuan Airlines.

Seychelles is expecting its first direct flight since 2018 in the second half of 2024. This flight, with an approximate duration of 8.5 hours, marks a pivotal advancement in air connectivity between the two regions. Further discussions are already underway regarding additional flights, underscoring the growing commitment to enhancing travel links and fostering deeper engagement with this key market.

Mrs. Bernadette Willemin, Director General of Destination Marketing at the Tourism Department, remarked that the success of the roadshow and the upcoming flights will reflect in the growth of Chinese visitor arrivals to Seychelles this year. “We are thrilled to see a significant increase in interest for Seychelles from the Chinese market. The Chinese tourism arrival numbers are higher compared to last year. The growth is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Tourism Seychelles and our trade partners in promoting Seychelles as a premier destination for Chinese travellers.”

Source: Voyages afriq

Bosses cut flying day trips as travel settles into permanent ‘new normal’

Industry body says inflation-adjusted corporate travel spending will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027

Executives are flying less and cutting one-day work trips by plane as corporate travel settles into a permanent “new normal”, according to the chief executive of the global industry trade body.

“Inflationary pressures and other things means [travel companies] are making more money on fewer trips . . . but the way companies travel is different,” said Suzanne Neufang, head of the Global Business Travel Association. “So that is a new normal and that is probably here to stay.”

One of the big changes has been the decline of one-day flight trips, as bosses cut journeys because of frustration with disruption, environmental worries and changing attitudes to work since the pandemic.

The one-day flight trip for work “went out the door at the beginning of Covid and hasn’t really come back”, explained Neufang.

Inflation also means that executives are struggling to save money despite making fewer trips.

The GBTA does not expect spending on inflation-adjusted global corporate travel, which includes spending on flights, trains, hotels and other expenses, to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027.

Without the inflation adjustment, the GBTA said global corporate travel would reach a record $1.48tn by the end of the year, up from $1.34tn in 2023 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Delays and cancelled flights are partly responsible for fewer trips since the pandemic, with 50 per cent of respondents to a 2023 GBTA survey saying concerns about disruptions or an unpleasant experience have “somewhat” or “greatly” reduced their willingness to travel for work.

Environmental and sustainable factors have also played a part as corporates try to limit flying, packing more meetings into fewer trips or only taking a plane for long journeys.

Companies including professional service firms PwC, EY and Marsh McLennan have all outlined plans to cut emissions by reducing air travel.

In addition, there was a human element, Neufang added. “Day trips are really hard, no matter what, even on the best days they are hard, very early starts and late returns.”

The chief executive of one of the big international airlines said it was noticeable how day trips had fallen out of favour as bosses cut time in the air. The CEO pinpointed fear of disruption as a likely reason for the drop. 

Neufang thought the industry was in “a little bit of a squishy moment” given the uncertain outlook for the economy, including recent stock market turmoil and signs of cracks in the US economy.

“Whether it is a hard landing or a soft landing, that is certainly something that CFOs [chief financial officers] are watching.”

However, Andrew Crawley, president of American Express Global Business Travel, was upbeat.

“Air fares and hotel rates have gone up very significantly in the past few years . . . customers’ budgets lag those price rises a little bit, but they do catch up with them eventually.”

Global multinationals were telling AmexGBT that they still planned to increase spending on travel, although small- and medium-sized businesses were more likely to suffer from economic uncertainty, Crawley said.

He also disagreed that travel problems would put people off taking trips. “You either have to travel or you don’t.”

 Source: Financial times

DET INVITES HOTELS TO APPLY FOR THE SECOND CYCLE OF THE DUBAI SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STAMP INITIATIVE.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched the second cycle of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, to recognise hotels in the city with the highest levels of adherence to DET’s ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’, a set of mandatory standards to support the ongoing drive to position Dubai as a leading sustainable tourism destination.

Serving as a validation of a hotel’s dedication to sustainability, and showcasing its eco practices to guests and the global community, the DST Stamp was launched in 2023 and contributes to Dubai’s broader sustainability agenda. It is awarded under a three-tier scheme – gold, silver, and bronze – and validated by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence. The window for hotels to submit their applications opened today (15 August) and will close on 15 September, with the announcement of the hotels receiving the DST Stamp for 2024 set to be made in January 2025.

Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector at DET, and Head of the DET Environmental Sustainability & Social Responsibility Committee, said: “The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp is more than just an accolade to recognise excellence in sustainability – it is a testament to the support and guidance of our visionary leadership to position Dubai at the forefront of global efforts in sustainable tourism. As we launch the second cycle of the DST Stamp, we invite hotels across Dubai to showcase their commitment to sustainability and contribute to our shared vision for a greener future, aligning with a key goal of the D33 Agenda to transform Dubai into the best city to visit, live and work in. This initiative continues to inspire enhanced collaboration between the government and private sectors in Dubai, further underscoring our resolve to set new standards in environmental stewardship within the hospitality industry.”

The ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’ were introduced in 2019 to guide hotels in implementing eco-friendly practices, and are part of the wider Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, developed by DET to drive the tourism sector’s transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and sustainable industry model. It is part of DET’s broader commitment to fostering sustainable tourism in Dubai and is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.

Encompassing a wide range of criteria that hotels must meet, the ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’ include taking steps to achieve energy and water efficiency, implementing waste management programmes, guest education, and employee training initiatives, all designed to enhance environmental performance and ensure compliance with sustainability standards.

In the first cycle of 2023, the DST Stamp received 278 hotel applications, resulting in 70 winners – 11 gold, 28 silver, and 31 bronze – demonstrating the hospitality sector’s enthusiastic commitment to adopting sustainable practices. Hotels recognised in the first round have highlighted the importance of the initiative, detailing the benefits their participation brought.

Nila Pendarovski, General Manager at Rove Expo City, said: “At Rove Hotels, we’re not just committed to providing exceptional hospitality, we’re also deeply invested in running our operations in a sustainable manner. We were honoured to be part of the first round of the DST Stamp certification process, an initiative we view as crucial to our growth as responsible hoteliers. This process has guided us in refining our operations from A to Z, enabling us to find more sustainable ways to serve our Rovers (guests). We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to participate in this process again, as we continue to champion sustainability in every aspect of our business.”

Luciano Fontana, General Manager, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, added: “Receiving the Gold Tier from the prestigious Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp was a remarkable honour for Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. This recognition reflected our unwavering dedication to sustainable luxury, ensuring that every guest’s experience contributes positively to environmental and social responsibility. We are proud to lead the way in sustainable tourism and look forward to setting new benchmark for excellence in this field.”

Inspired by global objectives such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and country-wide strategies including the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiatives, the DST initiative and DST Stamp align with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, which was extended into 2024. Another key initiative under DST has been the rollout and ongoing development of the Carbon Calculator tool, which measures the carbon footprint within Dubai’s hospitality sector. The tool tracks real-time data for carbon emission sources, allowing hotels to identify and effectively manage their energy consumption.

Additionally, DST complements the citywide ‘Dubai Can’ sustainability movement, which through its ‘Refill for Life’ campaign has seen the reduction in the usage of an equivalent of more than 23 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles and 11.5 million litres of water dispensed via 50 water fountains located throughout the city. Dubai Can has followed this up with a second initiative, Dubai Reef, the world’s largest marine reef development project, with 20,000 modules set to be deployed across 600 square kilometres of Dubai’s waters by 2027.

Hotels can contact dstsupport@dubaidet.ae for further details about applying for the DST Stamp.

Source:  Hotel And Catering.

Kenya-Uganda tourism benefits from relaxed border restrictions.

Kenya and Uganda have an arrangement where tourists arriving in Kenya can go on to visit Uganda on the same visa while using Uganda Airlines as a connecting carrier.

Relaxed border restrictions have been credited for the near double growth in tourism numbers between Kenya and Uganda in the past two years, with two countries implementing joint tourist events to improve integration.

Data from the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) shows over 600,000 tourists from two countries visited different tourist centres, compared with 320,000 in 2022.

Different interventions, among them use of identification cards to cross borders, improved infrastructure and investments on establishments and joint campaigns, have bridged market access challenges, increasing the numbers.

An initiative launched about two years for joint marketing for beach and safari has been yielding fruits to increase the numbers.

The Uganda Consul-General at the Kenyan Coast, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya said increased trips of Uganda Airlines and modern transport sector have led to increased numbers. For instance, in 2023, more than490,000 Kenyans visited Uganda, whereas 201,620 Ugandans visited Kenya.

“Following two highly successful Kenya-Uganda tourism conferences held in the coastal towns of Mombasa and Diani, more citizens in the two countries have increased the urge to visit different tourist attraction centres,” Mr Mukumbya said.

He was speaking during the media launch of the 3rd Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference in Mombasa.

He said that, with plans to have enhanced tourism promotion such as a trade and investment mission to Uganda in November this year, more tourists are expected to add to the existing numbers.

He said previous campaigns have increased awareness about Uganda and Kenya Coast destinations as well as the products they offer.

Synergies between key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya Coastal region have been built and enhanced where different tourism stakeholders from both countries are already selling both destinations.

The partnership will ensure thousands of tourists visiting either Kenya or Uganda move freely between the two countries where they can have breakfast at the beach and lunch in a safari in Uganda.

“This initiative aims to attract Kenyan businesspeople and manufacturers to explore opportunities in Uganda, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.

The 3rd Uganda- Kenya Coast Tourism Conference will take place in Kampala, Uganda from 20th- 21st November 2024,” the consul-general said.

Uganda and Kenya Coast have different tourism products that complement one another, thus easier to sell it abroad.

Uganda has mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, cultural and religious tourism and Kampala night life, while the Kenya coast has beautiful beaches, marine tourism and historical sites, so both countries can work together without competing to promote tourism.

Dr Sam Ikwaye, executive director of KAHC, emphasised the importance of fostering trust and collaboration among tourism stakeholders, noting the positive impact of familiarization trips and business-to-business engagements facilitated by the conference.

 “The confidence levels among stakeholders have risen, enabling Kenyan and Ugandan operators to develop and exchange tourism packages effectively,” he said.

In the ongoing joint campaign, Kenya and Uganda have an arrangement where tourists arriving in Kenya can go on to visit Uganda on the same visa while using Uganda Airlines as a connecting carrier.

The key partners are Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, TOSKENYA, KAHC, Kenya Coast Tourist Association, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Federation, Uganda Tourism Board, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Uganda Tourism Association, Eyalama Adventures and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.

The East African market has great tourism potential, with a population of over 200 million, a growing middle class, improved infrastructure and relaxation of travel restrictions.

Kenya remains Uganda’s biggest source market for tourists in the region and second in the world after US, accounting for 32 per cent of total arrivals last year.

Source:  The East African.  

FLYING 2 TIMES DAILY, DISCOVER MUMBAI WITH KENYA AIRWAYS

The enchanting Mumbai awaits! Popular for both leisure and business, Mumbai is a rare gem. Business men/women travel for trade, students for school, families for reconnections or medical assistance, and tourists for the many wonders it has to offer. 

From as low as $430 and with 14 weekly flights available between Nairobi and Mumbai, Kenya Airways has made travel easier and convenient. KQ now has two (2) daily flights operating on the Boeing B737-8. This means there is ample capacity for both cargo and passengers.

The best thing is, the flight schedule also allows for seamless onward connections to and from other destinations like Johannesburg (JNB), Lagos (LOS), Monrovia (ROB)  and Freetown (FNA)

Flight Schedule:

MUMBAI TO NAIROBI
 DayFlight NoDepartArrive
BOM-NBODailyKQ20302:4006:35
BOM-NBODailyKQ20506:4510:30
NAIROBI TO MUMBAI
 DayFlight NoDepartArrive
NBO-BOMDailyKQ20216:4501:30+1
NBO-BOMDailyKQ20420:5005:35+1

So next time you want to travel to or from Mumbai, choose comfort, convenience and authentic African hospitality on Kenya Airways.

Aviation: ASKY Airlines Receives Best Airline in West Africa 2024 Award at 7th Accra Weizo, Ghana

ASKY Airlines has been recognized as the Best Airline in West Africa for 2024.

This prestigious award was presented to the Managing Director – Mr. Esayas Hailu during the 7th edition of Accra Weizo organized by Akwaaba African Travel Market and Ghana Tourism Authority on the 28th of June 2024, at the Accra City Hotel in Ghana.

This award acknowledges the airline’s remarkable performance, strategic growth plans, and significant contributions to regional integration and trade development within the region. Additionally, it highlights that ASKY Airlines flies to more West African capitals than any other airline in the region.

The award is based on ASKY’s outstanding performance in the aviation sector over the past year, considering factors such as frequency, destinations covered, fleet type, on-time performance, customer service, and network coverage in West Africa.

The Balafon Awards of Excellence is an annual event organized to recognize pioneers and top players in the industry within the ECOWAS region. It has been received by several deserving individuals and corporate bodies across West Africa.

Mr. Esayas Hailu, Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, stated, “To ensure cheaper airfares on the continent and enhance air movement within Africa, especially West Africa, all the barriers militating against the seamless movement of people should be eliminated by the continent’s governments. We call on African governments to emulate their European counterparts by opening their borders more to the traveling public.”

This award is a testament to ASKY Airlines’ commitment to excellence and its dedication to enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth within West Africa.

Source:   ATQ News.   

Eldoret, Mogadishu & Maputo – More Routes, More Connections For Kenya Airways Guests

KQ JFK

Kenya Airways has reopened 3 routes this year in a bid to offer customers destinations options.

KQ resumed operations to Mogadishu in February, Eldoret in March and Maputo in June. The three routes are expected to offer KQ guests direct flights to the three destinations, providing travelers with more options and convenience.

Reopening of these routes furthers KQs commitments to connect Africa to the world and the world to Africa. The schedules are conveniently timed for the business traveler as well as the leisure traveler. This means guests travelling to and from these three routes can also travel to the rest of the KQ network via Nairobi.

Guests traveling on this route can expect:

1. Professional & delightful onboard services- The Kenya Airways friendly crew will be at hand to receive guests and ensure a delightful experience while onboard.

2. Ample baggage allowance- Customers’ first bag is free of charge with a provision of up to 23kgs for economy class and 32kgs for business class, with additional space available in the overhead bins for one carry-on bag.

3. Comfortable travel – Kenya Airways will operate the Embraer E190 on this route providing customers with a spacious and comfortable travel experience.

Please see the schedules for booking customers:

ELDORET: As low as ksh. 6,900 one way

MOGADISHU: as low as USD 250 one way

MAPUTO: as low as USD 873 for a return trip

Offering travel insurance just makes business sense.

Travel Insurance

In recent years, the travel industry has faced unprecedented challenges, exposing vulnerabilities. The pandemic was a wake-up call, underscoring the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions.

Last month’s CrowdStrike outage, which led to widespread flight cancellations and delays for several major airlines, reminded us of the unpredictability of events that may impact travel. These disruptions can turn a dream vacation into a stressful ordeal and have led me to conclude that every advisor should be offering travel protection to their clients.

As advisors, it’s our responsibility to use our experience to educate clients. We know firsthand that emergency can completely screw up the most carefully planned trip. Travel protection is designed to help clients during unexpected situations, whether a medical emergency, a natural disaster or something bizarre like the CrowdStrike incident.

Offering travel protection can ease these challenges, making an advisor’s job less stressful and helping manage client expectations more effectively. If, for example, a client’s flight is canceled due to weather or technical issues and they miss the first night of their hotel stay, the hotel may not offer a refund. Several advisors sought advice from colleagues on Facebook over this very issue in the aftermath of the CrowdStrike outage.

Without travel protection, the client was responsible for these costs, often leading to frustration and complaints misdirected at advisors. If travel insurance had not been offered, traveler frustration may not be completely misplaced. Some insurance policies cover these costs, diffusing the situation before it escalates. (Be sure to read the fine print! Not all travel insurance policies are the same.)

When a client has adequate travel protection, the burden to resolve issues shifts from advisors to the insurance provider. Whether it’s rebooking flights, covering additional hotel stays or compensating for lost luggage, travel insurance (depending on policy details) takes care of these problems, resulting in fewer stressful phone calls, less time spent negotiating with service providers and a smoother experience for clients.

Ultimately, offering travel protection is about more than just providing a service; it’s about enhancing your professional reputation and protecting your business. When clients see that you’ve gone the extra mile to ensure their trip is covered, it builds trust and confidence in your expertise. By making travel protection a standard part of your service, you not only safeguard your clients’ travel investments but also protect yourself and your business from unnecessary complications.

Clients can’t be forced to take out coverage, but they should understand the risks of traveling without it. If a client decides not to purchase insurance, I require them to sign a waiver acknowledging that insurance was offered and that they declined. This waiver states that the client accepts full responsibility if their travel plans are altered due to unforeseen circumstances.

Here’s the liability waiver I have my client’s sign:

I decline the offer to purchase travel protection/trip insurance through [name of agency]. I understand that I am solely responsible for any cancellation penalties and out-of-pocket expenses incurred. I will also make my own separate travel, medical and any other provisions in the event of an emergency while I am traveling. I also understand that I am not protected from loss in the event of any travel vendor, travel supplier or any travel-related operator defaults. This waiver confirms that I voluntarily decline travel insurance and travel protection insurance for the trip described above. I understand I am solely liable for all airline fees, supplier fees and agency fees that may apply, and I hereby release [name of agency] and its agents from any and all liability related to the trip described above.

Nine times out of 10, after I present my clients with the waiver, they decide to purchase the travel protection.

Source:   Travel Weekly.   

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum 2024 set to chart a new path for intra-Africa travel, tourism & investments.

The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2024 is scheduled to take place from September 3rd to 6th at the Gaborone International Conference Centre, Grand Palm, in Gaborone, Botswana.

This year’s theme, “Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism & Investments,” reflects the forum’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and collaboration across Africa’s travel, tourism, and investment sectors.

ATLF is a premier Pan-African dialogue platform that brings together influential stakeholders from the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. The forum serves as a unique opportunity for industry leaders to network, share insights, and develop strategies to boost intra-Africa travel and tourism, thereby enhancing the brand equity of “Destination Africa.”

The 2024 edition of ATLF will focus on three thematic areas: Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism, Boosting Intra-Africa Travel, and Driving Economic Growth. These themes are designed to ensure that tourism development benefits all stakeholders, especially local communities, and contributes to the continent’s economic integration and growth.

The ATLF Awards, a highlight of the forum, will recognize and celebrate innovation, excellence, and transformative initiatives pioneered by Africans, for Africans, in Africa. Attendees will have access to investment opportunities, innovation showcases, and educational sessions led by industry experts.

As Kwakye Donkor, CEO, aptly puts it, “The future of African tourism lies in our ability to chart a new path forward, one that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration. ATLF 2024 is poised to be a transformative dialogue that will shape the future of African travel, tourism, and investments.”

Building on the success of ATLF 2023, which saw over 500 participants, including thought-leaders, media, travel trade, industry practitioners, hoteliers, policymakers, and renowned experts, ATLF 2024 promises to be an even more impactful event.

The forum will feature insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and practical sessions on topics such as:

– Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism

– Boosting Intra-Africa Travel

– Driving Economic Growth

– Investment opportunities in tourism and hospitality

– Educational sessions led by industry experts

Join us at ATLF 2024 to be part of a movement that will drive sustainable growth and collaboration across Africa’s travel, tourism, and investment sectors.

Source: Voyages Afriq.  

Uganda, Kenya in bid to promote complementary tourism

In Summary

  • The 9th to 21st November conference shall:
  • Strengthen synergies between key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region;
  • address barriers and challenges to the partnership between Uganda and Kenya Coast.
  • Explore investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Uganda.
  • Allow participants to experience the tourism products in each of the two destinations so that they are better equipped to promote them.

The Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference is an annual event organized by the Consulate General of Uganda in conjunction with tourism stakeholders in Uganda and the Kenya Coast.

The conference aims to consolidate networks, synergies, and diversity to maximize the tourism potential between Uganda and Kenya’s coastal regions.

The event includes excursions at the Kenya Coast and a family trip to Uganda, as well as business-to-business sessions to enable participants from both countries to meet and interact.

The expected outcomes of the conference include increased tourist arrivals and investments in the tourism sectors, joint tourism packages, and increased traffic on the Entebbe-Mombasa route operated by Uganda Airlines.

it will also help map/ work out a strategy for joint promotion of trade  between Uganda and Kenya Coast and enhance awareness about the complementarity between the two destinations and the tourism products they offer.

During a media briefing at the Ministry of foregn affairs in kampala,the Commissioner, Human Resource, Ministry of foregn affairs Mr Herbert Kiguuli and the  Consul General of Uganda to Mombasa Ambassador Paul Mukumbya tell the public that the conference shall also  assess the progress made in the cooperation between Uganda and Kenya Coast since the last two conferences.

This will provide a platform for B2B networking, learning and information sharing;and also  equip the key tourism players from Uganda and the Kenya coastal region with firsthand experiences of key tourism attractions so that they are in a better position.

Source: Capital Radio