Tourism stakeholders have vowed to take the lead in championing environmentally sustainable initiatives for a thriving tourism business and other economic activities.

In a two-day-long third edition of the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference that ended on Friday in Entebbe, Uganda, players in the tourism sector drawn from Kenya and Uganda underscored the importance of a direct relationship between environment conservation and tourism business.

Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Mulimba told the gathering of tourism players that they had a responsibility to protect the environment by adopting practices that not only preserve natural beauty but also enhance the cultural integrity of the communities.

“Let us remember that our collaboration is not solely about enhancing our tourism sectors; it is about creating jobs that uplift our communities. When we invest in tourism, we invest in the livelihoods of countless individuals’ entrepreneurs, artisans, service providers, and families who depend on this critical industry.” Said the Minister.

The resolution comes hot on the heels of the Kenya Tourism Board’s (KTB) campaign, One Tourist, One Tree, launched two months ago to rally visitors and Kenyans to plant trees as one of the initiatives toward environmental sustainability.

The initiative supported by the industry players is a call to travelers to leave a positive legacy by planting a tree, helping to combat climate change, and conserving landscapes, and every tree planted through is a symbol of shared responsibility in the protection of the planet.

During his address, the Ugandan Minister said there was an urgent need for players in the sector to ensure that as they integrate sustainability into tourism strategies, the same does not come at the expense of ecosystems and cultural heritage

According to the minister, an inclusive economy through sharing resources for economic livelihoods from tourism proceeds was one of the ways of sustaining the sector.

The conference also heard that human-wildlife conflict and poverty’s exclusive approach to tourism by overdepending on foreign tourism was a major threat to sustainability and therefore a re-defined strategy to grow the domestic market for the survival of tourism.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, expressed his optimism that the Ugandan market for Kenya is going to increase tremendously with elaborate initiatives for a complementary approach in marketing tourism experiences between the two countries.

In 2023, Kenya received 201,623 visitors from Uganda, improving from 151,121 recorded in 2022, with the High Commissioner disclosing that the expected increase of Kenya Airways flight frequency from Entebbe to Nairobi from four to five times in the immediate future is a clear indication of the traveler growth to Kenya.

The Movement by road using a national identity card as a travel document, added the High Commissioner, is also a major contributor to the increasing number of Ugandan travelers into Kenya, making it a second-performing market after the USA

He at the same time called on players in the tourism industry to offer more budget-friendly travel packages to promote regional growth of domestic tourism.

“There is a need to demystify the myth that tourism is a reserve for foreigners or the rich. Make travel costs affordable to more people. This, however, should not compromise the quality of service,” said the High Commissioner.

He particularly singled out sporting and cultural events in both countries, such as the recently concluded Elgon Championship Rugby Cup 2024, the WRC Safari Rally, and the upcoming AFCON 2027, as opportunities for affordable packages offered to the Ugandan traveler.

Kilifi County Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule said the county has undertaken efforts towards enhancing eco-tourism offerings, preserving cultural heritage, and improving infrastructure to ensure visitors enjoy seamless and memorable experiences.

She cited the designation of Gedi Ruins in Malindi as Kenya’s 8th World Heritage Site as a major step towards the sustainability of African culture and heritage. “We are soon going to unveil the newest kid in the block for not only East Africa but the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa! The First Ever Blue Tourism product of its Kind: an underwater museum at Ngomeni, Kilifi County,” disclosed the Deputy Governor 

She continued, “Our two regions are uniquely complementary. Kilifi County’s pristine beaches, historical landmarks, and world-class resorts align seamlessly with Uganda’s adventure tourism, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural richness. Together, we can create travel packages that allow visitors to experience the best of both worlds coastline serenity and inland adventure.”