UTB gears up for New York Times travel show

By George Mangula

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) officials, in the continued efforts to promote Uganda as Africa’s premier tourist destination, will within the next few days participate in the New York Times Travel Show scheduled to take place from January 25-27, 2019 in New York City, USA.

The UTB officials will, alongside Uganda’s Market Destination Representative in North America (PHG Group) and eight Uganda tour operators represent, the country at the New York Times Travel Show, which is considered the biggest travel show in North America that brings together over 550 exhibitors from over 170 destinations.

According to the outgoing UTB Chief Executive Officer Stephen Asiimwe, the show is part of major outlined activities to showcase Uganda to travel enthusiasts in the American market and to ensure that the number of Americans coming to Uganda remains on the rise.

Leading the delegation, Asiimwe will engage among others travel agents and experts, airlines, embassies, media in a learning experience of Uganda’s offerings.

“The number of tourists from the United States to Uganda has been on the rise with a 6.6 percent increment registered from 2016-17. This is expected to increase in the coming years with funds concealed in aggressive marketing initiatives,” Asiimwe said.

The United States remains Uganda’s biggest market for tourists, and, according to statistics, there has been a spike in the number of American tourists visiting Uganda.

Meanwhile, the year 2017 saw a record 1.4 million tourist arrivals to Uganda, a 6 percent increase from the previous year, with the numbers growing steadily at an average increase of 49, 000 visitors each year from 2013 to 2017.