Uganda to attract Nordic tourists

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.