For the first time in a decade, Uganda has taken the biggest team to the 2013 annual ITB Berlin travel and tourism exhibition, which opens today (Wednesday, March 6) until Sunday, March 10.

The Uganda delegation, which is led by the minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba, includes 22 tour operators, including one hotel, Sheraton. ITB is one of the world's leading travel and tourism shows which attracts about 100,000 visitors.

Edwin Muzahura, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)'s spokesperson, says Uganda has been participating at the ITB for the last 10 years, and as a result the number of visitors from Germany has been growing steadily. In 2011, Uganda received 8,960 tourists from Germany out of the 32,960 tourists from Europe.

Last year, Uganda's exhibition stand was voted third best stand from Africa at ITB. This year, Uganda has doubled its space to 100 metres. The stand will trade under the theme "Uganda the Pearl of Africa, your eco-tourism destination."

In order to improve Uganda's visibility during the show, for the first time, government has also bankrolled the services of Ndere cultural troupe to entertain guests at the stand and during the cocktail.