Uganda Courts Turkish Tourists with 'Explore Uganda' Roadshows

Uganda’s tourism potential was prominently showcased to more than 400 Turkish travel professionals and enthusiasts during “Explore Uganda” roadshows in Gaziantep and Istanbul. These events, organized by the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara in conjunction with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are a key part of Uganda’s strategy to position itself as a premier destination for Turkish travelers.

The roadshows, held on June 16th in Gaziantep and June 18th in Istanbul, saw significant turnout, with participants including tour operators, travel agents, investors, media, and influencers.

Ambassador Nusura Tiperu highlighted the growing interest from Turkish travelers in Uganda’s unique attractions. “This strong turnout highlights the increasing interest among Turkish travellers and stakeholders in discovering Uganda’s unique attractions,” Tiperu stated in Istanbul.

These events followed an earlier successful Familiarisation (FAM) Trip where Turkish tour operators experienced Uganda’s offerings firsthand. The roadshows aim to solidify tourism ties between Uganda and Türkiye, building on a 2016 cooperation agreement.

Ugandan tour operators engaged in Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with their Turkish counterparts to forge commercial partnerships. Francis Nyende, Marketing Manager for UTB, presented Uganda’s diverse tourism products, from gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris to cultural experiences, under the “Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa” brand.

The event also featured testimonials from Turkish travel industry figures. Influencer Çağatay Özdemir, with over 1.3 million Instagram followers, shared his positive experiences, emphasizing Uganda’s authentic cultural and experiential tourism, particularly highlighting gorilla trekking.

The roadshows concluded with a raffle draw, offering winners return tickets to Uganda, further building excitement and collaboration.

These initiatives are expected to enhance Uganda’s profile in the Turkish market, strengthen industry partnerships, and ultimately drive increased tourist arrivals from Türkiye.

Source: Nile Post