Uganda’s Vice President Jesca Alupo has called for increased efforts to enhance intra-African travel.
Alupo made this during the opening ceremony of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), at the Speke Resort Hotel in Kampala, where she represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest.
In her remarks, Alupo emphasized the importance of simplifying visa regulations, improving transport affordability, and streamlining currency systems within regional blocs to facilitate easier travel for Africans within the continent.
“Today, most of the tourists coming to Uganda or generally to Africa are from Africa. We need to make sure that our destinations are attractive and competitive. We need to ease movements within the continent through enhancing affordability of transport, accommodation and visa requirements. Currently, there are over 40 currencies on the continent encouraging foreign exchange losses. We could limit the number of currencies through our respective regional blocs.” Alupo said.
Alupo highlighted the potential benefits of increased intra-African travel, including boosting tourism, creating employment opportunities, and fostering cultural exchange.
She stressed the need for African countries to work together to remove barriers that hinder the growth of intra-continental travel.
Noting Uganda’s macroeconomic stability and the youthful demographic dividend with over three-quarters of the population below the age of 35, the Vice President underscored the potential of the tourism sector to harness this demographic advantage.
“Uganda has the second youngest population in the world. More than three quarters (78 per cent) of our citizens are below the age of 35, and this youthful population is projected to double in the next 25 years. This presents for opportunities and challenges for the country. A young population can contribute to an expansion of the labor force, leading to an increase in the potential output and productive capacity of the economy. The tourism sector should therefore absorb this vibrant labour.” She said.
POATE is an annual signature event held in Uganda to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings to both local and international audiences.
The expo typically features a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, conferences, networking sessions, cultural performances, and adventure tours, aimed at promoting Uganda as a preferred tourism destination in Africa.
