POATE 2026 Showcases Uganda’s Tourism Potential Through Networking, Investment and Collaboration
The 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2026 successfully brought together the global tourism community at Speke Resort Munyonyo from May 21st to 23rd, positioning Uganda as one of Africa’s fastest-growing tourism and investment destinations. Organised by the Uganda Tourism Board under the theme “Wanderlust,” the three-day expo attracted over 1,500 delegates, international buyers, investors, exhibitors, media personalities, and tourism stakeholders from more than 40 countries.
The Expo served as a major platform for Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements, focusing on destination marketing, sustainable tourism, investment opportunities, innovation, storytelling, and regional collaboration within the tourism industry. Discussions throughout the event highlighted Uganda’s wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking experiences, birding tourism, cultural heritage, hospitality sector, and growing MICE tourism market.
While officially opening the Expo, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to positioning tourism as a key pillar for economic transformation, foreign exchange earnings, investment, and job creation. The President emphasized Uganda’s unique geography, biodiversity, favorable climate, peace, and cultural richness as competitive advantages that continue to attract global travelers and investors.
Throughout the three days, stakeholders participated in exhibitions, panel discussions, networking sessions, cultural showcases, and strategic business meetings aimed at unlocking new partnerships and strengthening Uganda’s visibility on the international tourism market. The Expo also focused on tourism investment opportunities, sustainability, emerging markets, and product development as industry leaders called for stronger collaboration across Africa’s tourism value chain.
Hosted buyers and tourism partners further explored different tourism destinations across Uganda through familiarisation trips designed to showcase the country’s wildlife, landscapes, accommodation facilities, and authentic tourism experiences beyond the exhibition grounds.
Our attendance at POATE 2026 marked an important opportunity to engage with tourism professionals, conservation stakeholders, travel buyers, media partners, and potential collaborators from across the world. The Expo created a valuable platform for building strategic networks, exploring new partnerships, exchanging ideas, and positioning our brand within the growing tourism and conservation industry.
As Uganda continues strengthening its position as the “Pearl of Africa,” platforms like POATE remain vital in promoting sustainable tourism, regional cooperation, investment opportunities, and long-term collaborations that will shape the future of tourism in Uganda and across Africa.
