East Africa’s tourism sector is gearing up for renewed growth as Uganda and Kenya prepare to co-host the 4th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition from 27–28 October 2025 at Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi, Kenya. Under the theme “Leveraging Youth Innovation and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism,” the event will spotlight how digital solutions and youth-led innovations are reshaping the region’s tourism landscape to make it more resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive.
The conference builds on the Uganda-Kenya Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation signed in July 2025, which provides a framework for joint promotion, knowledge exchange, and capacity building. During the launch in Kampala, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, Uganda’s Consul-General in Mombasa, emphasized that tourism remains one of the strongest bridges linking the two nations. “By collaborating on promotion and marketing, we enhance global visibility while reinforcing our social and economic ties. This conference ensures both countries complement, rather than compete, in showcasing their unique attractions,” he said.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also underscored the sector’s importance, noting that the government aims to grow tourism revenue from US$2 billion in FY2022/23 to US$50 billion by FY2039/40 under the Agro-Industrialization, Tourism, Mineral Development, and Science & Technology (ATMS) framework. Tourism, officials stressed, is central to economic diplomacy, youth empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development.
Tourism flows between the two countries remain strong. In 2024, 466,000 Kenyans visited Uganda, while 225,559 Ugandans traveled to Kenya numbers boosted by improved air connectivity and increased flights by Kenya Airways. Since 2022, the Uganda Consulate in Mombasa has championed the Uganda-Kenya Coast Partnership through annual conferences, exhibitions, and familiarization trips. Past editions in Mombasa (2022), Diani (2023), and Kampala (2024) have attracted hundreds of delegates, fostering B2B networking and raising awareness of Uganda’s wildlife and cultural heritage alongside Kenya’s coastal and marine attractions.
Stakeholders praised the initiative’s consistency. Uganda Airlines’ Head of Public Relations, Shakira Rahim Lamar, noted: “Tourism is about service, humanity, and the joy we bring to travelers. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we enhance visitor experiences while strengthening the regional ecosystem.”
Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kaggwa applauded Ambassador Mukumbya’s leadership, reaffirming the Board’s ambition to significantly grow tourism’s contribution to GDP and sustain Uganda’s appeal as the “Pearl of Africa.”
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) CEO Stephen Asiimwe highlighted the role of young innovators, saying: “The youth in tourism are not just beneficiaries; they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. Empowering them to reimagine tourism is an investment in sustainability. Technology connects our destinations to global audiences while ensuring inclusivity and resilience.”
From Kenya, Herbert Mwachiro of Kilifi County emphasized the complementarity of Uganda’s wildlife and cultural tourism with Kilifi’s beaches and marine ecosystems, while Amb. Dr. Suleiman Ibrahim Roba, Kenya’s Deputy High Commissioner to Uganda, reaffirmed tourism’s power to strengthen bilateral ties.
Closing the Kampala launch, Amb. Mukumbya stressed the broader vision: “This is more than a conference; it is a mission to position Uganda and Kenya as partners in global tourism. By harnessing youth energy, technology, and regional unity, we can transform tourism into a shared engine of growth and understanding.”
The conference will also feature youth innovators who have developed platforms to make East African tourism more accessible and affordable, ranging from budget-friendly to premium experiences. Registration is now open via www.thetourismconference.org.