Uganda is seeking partnership that will see big number of visitors to Kenya’s coastal towns and the respective beaches on the coast visit it's safaris.

In the agreement which will compliment both beaches and safaris found in Kenya and Uganda respectively, the two countries will market their tourists destinations as a package.

To harness the opportunities, Uganda’s Consulate in Mombasa has organized the first Uganda Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and exhibition set for November 17th this year.

Uganda's Consulate General in Mombasa Amb.Paul Mukumbya said both countries can benefit from tourist arrivals to each country by selling their respective tourism packages to tourists from abroad.

“The partnership will ensure thousands of tourists visiting either Kenya and Uganda move freely between the two countries. The tourists can have breakfast at the beach and lunch in a safari in Uganda,” said Amb Mukumbya.

In the agreement, the two countries will promote beaches and different tourism products on the coast and adventure tourism in Uganda as one package which will not only increase tourist numbers in the two countries but will create more opportunities for tourism stakeholders.

“In the deal, Uganda Airways will operate direct flight from Mombasa to Entebbe three times a week but we shall also engage other transporters such as tour and bus operators to offer special rates for travelers of the two countries,” said the consulate.

Speaking during a joint media briefing in Mombasa with the Kenya Coast Tourism association (KCTA) officials, the Ugandan Consulate said Uganda has completely different tourism products from Kenya and yet there are so many travelers who come to the Coast.

“We shall be having a conference between Uganda and Kenyan Coast tourism stakeholders on 17th November this year where we shall elaborate more on the way forward,” he said.

The conference will bring together over 100 Uganda tourism players and exhibitors to showcase some of their products and brands at the inaugural event in Mombasa slated for Nov 17.

Amb. Mukumbya said the conference under the theme ‘strengthening Networks, synergies and diversity to maximize the tourism potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coast region’ will be a game changer.

According to Mukumbya, tourism arrivals in Uganda in 2021 stood at 512,945.Out of that,326,387 were from Kenya which he said translated to 63 percent of all arrivals in Uganda.

KCTA chairman Victor Shitakha said the partnership facilitated by both governments will be between the private tours operators of Kenya and Uganda so as to work together to market each other's tourism products.

"The move will create networks and synergies and we are not in competition but we compliment where we shall come up with packages marketed together where we shall sell both safari and beaches as one package,” said Mr Shitakha