Uganda is ramping up efforts to attract more international visitors, with a renewed focus on Türkiye as a high-potential tourism source market. This follows the successful conclusion of a 10-day familiarisation trip for Turkish tour operators, capped off with a business-to-business (B2B) engagement in Kampala.
The initiative, organised by the Uganda Tourism Board in partnership with the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara and Turkish Airlines, forms part of a broader strategy to convert growing global interest into actual visitor arrivals.
Nine Turkish tour operators participated in the immersive tour, experiencing Uganda's tourism offerings first-hand, including wildlife, culture, and hospitality experiences across key destinations.
A major highlight of the trip was Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the delegation trekked through dense rainforest to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat--an experience several participants described as unforgettable.
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The group also explored Uganda's cultural and hospitality offerings in western Uganda, including a visit to Emburara Farm Lodge, which blends traditional heritage with modern accommodation services.
Speaking during the closing engagement, Daniel Irunga from the Uganda Tourism Board said partnerships remain central to unlocking new markets and strengthening Uganda's global tourism footprint.
He noted that collaboration with Turkish Airlines and the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara reflects growing bilateral relations, with tourism acting as a key bridge between the two countries.
Irunga added that Uganda offers a complete tourism package, from savannah landscapes and tropical forests to the source of the Nile, positioning it as an attractive destination for experiential travel.
Türkiye has been identified as a strategic market due to its strong outbound travel culture and status as a global aviation and tourism hub. Daily direct flights between the two countries are also expected to boost accessibility and visitor numbers.
Officials say infrastructure improvements, including upgraded roads to key tourism sites, are further enhancing the visitor experience and making destinations more accessible.
From the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara, officials said the familiarisation trip was designed to go beyond traditional marketing by allowing tour operators to experience Uganda directly, enabling them to develop tailored travel packages for the Turkish market.
In Bwindi, Member of Parliament Dickson Kateshumbwa praised Uganda's diplomatic missions for their increasing role in tourism promotion, noting that embassies are becoming key drivers of international marketing and investment attraction.
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He also emphasised that such visits help build confidence in Uganda as a destination while opening up new business opportunities within the hospitality sector.
The B2B engagement in Kampala further strengthened these efforts by bringing together Ugandan tour operators, hoteliers, and their Turkish counterparts to explore partnerships and long-term collaboration.
As global travel demand continues to recover, Uganda is positioning itself as a leading destination for nature-based and experiential tourism, leveraging strategic partnerships to market the Pearl of Africa to the world.
