POATE 2025 KICKS STARTS AT SPEKE RESORT MUNYONYO
- mtwa tourism
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Munyonyo, Uganda – May 21st 2025 – The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in
partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife
Research & Training Institute, Uganda Hotel & Tourism Training Institute, and Uganda Wildlife
Conservation Education Centre has today officially opened the 9th Edition of the Pearl of Africa
Tourism Expo at Speke Resort Munyonyo and Convention Centre as this will run from the 21st
to 24th May 2025.
This year’s event is held under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” The
Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda, presided as the Chief Guest on
On behalf of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
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Speaking during the POATE 2025 opening Ceremony, Hon. Robinah Nabbanja highlighted that
the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo has grown into more than just Uganda’s flagship tourism
event. It has become one of the most influential regional expos, drawing together tourism
stakeholders, business leaders, media, and investors from all corners of the globe. The
participation of over 3,000 delegates from more than 50 countries this year is a powerful
demonstration of the value of partnership and the increasing global interest in Uganda and the
East African region.
She said, “The Government of Uganda, through its Vision 2040 and the Tenfold Growth
Strategy has firmly committed itself to transforming tourism into a cornerstone of socio-
economic development. This commitment is evident in the continued investment in tourism
infrastructure, product diversification, and capacity building, all designed to create an enabling
environment for private sector growth, community participation, and international collaboration.
Uganda’s approach to sustainable destination development is also aligned with the principles of
green growth, digital adoption, and cultural preservation.”
In his remarks, Hon. Tom Butime, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities said,
‘’POATE is more than just an event. It is Uganda’s flagship tourism marketing platform,
designed to connect local tourism businesses with international buyers, investors, and media.
Over the years, it has grown into a regional brand, affirming Uganda’s position as a leading
tourism destination in Africa.
He added, ‘’In the lead-up to this opening, several important activities have already taken place.
We have hosted Familiarization (FAM) trips for over 100 international hosted buyers and media
representatives, allowing them to explore Uganda’s diverse offerings from the mountain gorillas
of Bwindi to the wild savannahs of Kidepo, the adventure of the Nile, and the serenity of Lake
Bunyonyi. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident that many of
these experiences will soon be shared with the world.
Speaking during the opening Press conference, Vivian Lyazzi the Acting Tourism Development
Commissioner at the Ministry of Tourism, said, ‘’We have an exhibition going on starting today.
One of the key themes emerging from this event is sustainable transformation. As part of our
commitment to sustainability, we are actively discouraging the use of single-use plastic bottles.
Instead, we are promoting the use of reusable materials to minimize waste and reduce
environmental impact.
‘’Uganda has now transitioned into the implementation phase of the National Development Plan
IV (NDP IV). At the heart of this plan lies our collective ambition, which is economic
transformation and sustained growth. Among the key drivers of this transformation is tourism, a
low-hanging fruit with immense potential to stimulate inclusive development. To harness this
potential, we must focus on attracting more visitors to our destinations while also investing
intentionally in these areas. One such destination is Uganda—a place of beauty and promise.
However, for its full potential to be realized, we must scale up existing investments, he added.
POATE 2025 has been designed as a multi-stakeholder platform that creates value and visibility
for a wide range of participants. It is a vital event for international and regional hosted buyers,
including tour operators, destination management companies (DMCs), luxury travel agents, and
travel designers seeking fresh, authentic African experiences. It is also highly beneficial for
Ugandan and East African tour operators and travel agents looking to showcase their products,
build new partnerships, and expand their market reach.
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