By Najib Mulema
Coffee Tourism Uganda, in partnership with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) are set to organize Uganda’s first ever Coffee and Tourism Symposium.
Running under the theme “Unlocking Uganda’s Coffee Tourism Potential”, the conference will take place at Golden Tulip Hotel, Kampala on December 6, 2018. It will bring together key stakeholders in the coffee and tourism subsectors to deliberate on how the gains and potential in both subsectors can be enhanced.
Coffee Tourism involves linking coffee farmers to consumers under a farm-to cup approach, with consumers touring farms and sharing their experience with the farmers. The feedback from the tourists aids in increased production of high quality coffee and hence boosts returns.
While addressing the media on Tuesday at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye, Managing Director of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said coffee tourism is going to boost the country’s economy.
He said the concept is not a one day event and as a process it will create jobs for the locals and attract more tourists that will increase the country’s revenue.
Dr. Iyamulemye further revealed that as UCDA, they are determined to move Uganda’s position from just a top African producer to a top global exporter of premium coffee.
“We believe that partnering with the tourism fraternity in this symposium, will enable us achieve this target sooner rather than later,” he said.
At the same event, Mr. Steven Asiimwe, CEO Uganda Tourism Board noted, “Bringing consumers to the farms and ensuring they have all the amenities they need in terms of transport, accommodation and on-farm experiences will also encourage incremental earnings as farmers and those in the hospitality and tourism industries gain prominence due to global exposure,”
Meanwhile, Uganda through the Coffee Roadmap, aims to accelerate coffee exports from the current 4.6 million (60kg) bags per year to 20 million (60 kg) bags by 2025.
However, while the country is considered a major coffee supplier on the world stage, Uganda’s coffee does not feature in the world’s 15 top value earning coffee exporting countries and this is what the concept is trying to overcome.
Mrs. Joan Kantu Else, CEO of Coffee Tourism Uganda said they expect at least 180 delegates and 20 exhibitors at the inaugural event, including tour operators, coffee farmers, hoteliers and others involved in the hospitality and coffee industry.
“The symposium will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to meet, establish business relationships, and discuss coffee tourism opportunities and ways to improve business,” she said
Adding,” Renowned coffee and tourism expert, Mr Glenn Jampol, the President and coowner of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort and a renowned international sustainable tourism expert from Costa Rica and Ms Judy KepherGona, a travel and tourism expert from Kenya will be key speakers at the symposium slated for 6 December in Kampala,”
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