Hosted buyers and exhibitors were sourced from the existing core and emerging source markets within the East African region (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda), the rest of Africa (Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa), and the international markets (North America, UK, Ireland, Germany-speaking countries, Japan, Gulf states, China, and the new markets of France, Belgium, and The Netherlands).
In addition, trade visitors who wished to familiarize themselves with industry trends and developments, had the opportunity to listen in on a session moderated by Peter Igaga, who launched the opening session in an exclusive setting at the Speke Resort and Conference Center located in the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.
le Uganda Turisi Komiti (UTB) Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova, welcomed the virtual attendants to this new way of doing business. She assured participants that the UTB is at a point of optimism giving reference to 350 million globally that have been vaccinated and 70 million that are fully vaccinated.
She added that in February, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections for economic growth was at 0.5% but adjusted to 5.5% with the World Tourism Organization (WTO) projecting tourism to bounce back by 2022.
Ajarova revealed that the Government of Uganda had ordered 18 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines of which 864,000 were received and are being administered across the country. “This is putting us across the tourism industry as a safe destination. We are protecting our staff, and this should be able to give confidence to tourists,” she said.
Lilly added that there was no better time to hold POATE in order to give hope to everyone. Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) were put in place in accommodation facilities, and Uganda was a safe place to take a break from the lockdown.
