“The event is increasingly becoming a major platform for promoting intra-African travel, trade, and tourism partnerships across the region.” Officials at the expo said
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Tourism John Olol Tuaa says that initiatives such as visa-free travel among African countries and stronger policy alignment are critical in driving visitor numbers across East Africa.
“Kenya has already opened its borders to visa-free travel for all African nationals, a move he said is improving connectivity and positioning East Africa as a unified tourism destination.” He noted.
During the discussions, figures shared show that Uganda remains one of Kenya’s top tourism source markets globally and the leading one in Africa, with more than 234,000 Ugandan visitors recorded by the end of 2025.
Kenya continues to rank among Uganda’s top tourist source markets in return highlighting what stakeholders described as a mutually beneficial tourism relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
To increased tourist flows between the two countries chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourism Association Victor Kitaka pointed to growing partnerships such as the Kenya Coast–Uganda conference, which he said has already contributed.
“The next focus should be on implementing open skies policies, easing travel restrictions, and harmonising regional regulations to further boost tourism growth.” Tourism stakeholders at the expo said.
“Across the region, a more connected East Africa will attract more visitors, strengthen economies, and create shared prosperity.” The message from Kenya at POATE 2026, stakeholders said.
