Kenya’s Coast seeks more Ugandan tourists through joint holiday packages

Kenya’s Coast seeks more Ugandan tourists through joint holiday packages

Visitor numbers between the two countries have been rising. Figures cited by the summit organisers show that Kenya received 234,556 visitors from Uganda in 2025, up from 201,623 in 2024.

Kenya’s Coast tourism operators are seeking to attract more Ugandan visitors through joint holiday packages as businesses in the two countries look to expand cross-border travel and partnerships.

More than 50 Ugandan tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and travel influencers are in Mombasa ahead of the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, scheduled for October 26 and 27 at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa.

The delegation will visit coastal attractions, including beaches, marine parks, heritage sites and hotels, to identify tourism products that can be marketed to Ugandan travellers.

Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, said the summit would address challenges affecting regional tourism, particularly the high cost of air travel and barriers to the movement of people between East African Community member states.

He called for a review of aviation taxes and other charges that make flights between destinations such as Mombasa, Nairobi and Entebbe expensive, arguing that lower travel costs could encourage more people to visit destinations within the region.

The meeting will bring together tourism stakeholders from both countries to discuss ways of increasing business opportunities and making it easier for visitors to combine different destinations in one trip.

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Ugandan tour operator Jane Irene Namuga said the visit would help her establish business links with Kenyan operators and develop holiday packages featuring attractions in both countries.

She said Kenya’s coastal beaches, marine tourism and cultural heritage could complement Uganda’s wildlife and adventure activities, including mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and white-water rafting in Jinja.

The approach would give visitors the option of experiencing coastal and inland attractions during the same holiday, while creating opportunities for tour operators, hotels and other tourism businesses to work together.

Visitor numbers between the two countries have been rising. Figures cited by the summit organisers show that Kenya received 234,556 visitors from Uganda in 2025, up from 201,623 in 2024.

Kenyan visitors to Uganda also increased from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025, highlighting the importance of the two markets to each other’s tourism industries.

The summit will also explore how technology and digital platforms can help tourism businesses promote their products and reach new customers, particularly young travellers.

Namuga called for stronger regional cooperation in responding to health emergencies, noting that disruptions in one country could affect travel across neighbouring states.

A reciprocal familiarisation trip for Kenyan tourism stakeholders to Uganda is planned for November. The visitors are expected to tour national parks, cultural and religious sites, the source of the Nile and adventure tourism attractions.

The discussions will focus on strengthening business links between tourism operators in the two countries, with the aim of developing packages that encourage visitors to explore more of East Africa during their holidays.