The tourism sectors in Kenya and uganda have praised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that led to a breakthrough deal between the two countries, as a way for opening new frontiers for tourism growth in the region.
In his speech at the 4th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition held in Malindi, Mombasa, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, Uganda Consul General, highlighted that the move will enhance affordable cross-border travel and thus forecast the growth of the tourism sector by 5 percent per year.
“The SGR extension will be the means by which the travel between Kenya and Uganda will be made best convenient and cost-effective and this in turn will stimulate the demand for one another’s destinations among the cross-border tourists,” Mukumbya said.
Through collaboration among the different countries the tourism sector can be revived and sustained after the corona era when it faced heavy losses. This statement was given by the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano who officiated the event. She reminded the stakeholders of the need to tap the resources of creativity of the youth, innovation, and technology to transform East Africa into a leading global tourism destination.”
The East African Youth, Innovation, and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism conference is a three-day event that has provided a platform for over 500 delegates including youth innovators, policymakers, and investors from both countries to engage.
Malindi Sub-County, with its picturesque beaches, was the perfect venue for the festival, which included such things as cultural performances, tourism innovations, and investment opportunities as a means to promote the industry and the development of cross-border collaboration.
The organizers of the event stipulated their belief that the reestablishment of the partnership between Kenya and Uganda would not only lead to the stimulation of regional connectivity but also the promotion of environmentally friendly tourism that can be a source of income for the local communities living along both sides of the SGR corridor.
