Margaret
Ageti Otteskov, Trade and Tourism attaché at Ugandan Embassy in Denmark
addressing the media during a press briefing about the Tourism
exhibition and forum to brand Uganda. Photo by Lillia Babirye
Uganda’s
embassy in Denmark is to hold a tourism forum to promote Uganda safaris as a competitive destination for investment and tourism opportunities. The
forum will take place on May 23rd at the Bella Centre in the Danish
capital Copenhagen under the theme, “Tourism and Culture for
Development.”
The forum targets five countries which include Denmark, Norway,
Finland, Sweden and Iceland, and will cover components of culture to
improve relations between Uganda and the Nordic region.
This was during a press conference addressed yesterday (Tuesday) at
the ministry of foreign affairs boardroom, by officials from the Uganda
Tourism Board (UTB), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Wildlife
Authority (UWA) and Brussels Airlines.
Margaret Ageti Otteskov, who is in charge of trade, investment and
tourism at the embassy in Copenhagen said the forum would be attended by
government officials, tours and travel agencies, journalists and
potential investors.
The officials noted that the tourism sector is a leading foreign
exchange earner for Uganda, and the Nordic region has contributed to
rising tourist numbers coming into the country.
Stephen Asiimwe, the UTB chairperson said the Copenhagen forum
follows a successful participation in the Berlin tourism expo during
which Uganda emerged 5th best exhibitor.
Asiimwe said, “This is a good opportunity to market and promote Uganda. We take it seriously.”
The forum spearheaded by the embassy in Denmark will be held every year.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director, Dr. Andrew Seguya
said that the Nordic region of Europe is important because between
seven to 10 percent of the tourists to Uganda’s national parks are from
the Nordic region.
“We believe this effort in promoting our country will bring in visitors,” Dr. Seguya said.
He said that UWA is promoting investment in infrastructure because
the shortage of accommodation in the protected areas means that tourists
on average stay for short duration.
Also to be launched during the forum, will be a magazine for
Ugandans in the diaspora. Suzanne Othieno, the Brussels Airlines sales
executive said the airline will provide up to 50% discount on air
tickets for people travelling to the forum.
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