Kampala, Uganda
Journalist: Kazeem Balogun
The Uganda Tourism Board, (UTB) one of the the prominent tourism management boards in Africa has delivered an unexpected honours to three distinguished African tourism leaders that attended the just concluded Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo ,POATE 2024 in Kampala, Uganda .
This surprise took place during a well-attended tourism trade dinner, organised by Uganda Airlines at the Ndere Cultural Centre in Kampala, on the second day of the Expo.
UTB CEO, Madam Lilly Ajarova and her team invited the three renowned tourism veterans to the stage to be recognized and celebrated in a big surprise to them, but to the admiration of the audience.
The honoured veterans were ; Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder of Akwaaba African Travel Market ; Hon. Alain St. Ange, former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine of Seychelles and former President of the African Tourism Board (ATB), and Hon. Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman of the African Tourism Board. They were extolled as the ‘Giants and Pillars’ of African tourism.
The three honorees, (L- R) Hon. Cuthbert Ncube, the Executive Chairman of African Tourism Board; Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder, Akwaaba Africa Travel Market and Hon. Alain St.Ange, former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Seychelles
Uko expressed his appreciation to the CEO of UTB and her team for the recognition and also in a message on his social handles where he appreciated St. Ange. “Massive recognition to share the same space with my Oga St. Ange.”
St. Ange, equally moved and conveyed his humility and gratitude to Lilly Ajarova and her team for the recognition she accorded him.
Ms. Lilly Ajarova, CEO Uganda Tourism Board with Hon. Alain St. Ange, former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Seychelles
Ncube also expressed his unfathomable appreciation to Ms. Ajarova and her team, eulogised the giant strides UTB has achieved.
“l am grateful to our amiable Lilly Ajarova, her team and UTB for achieving so much so far. This humbling, and it calls for more dedication on my part”.
About the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE)
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is an annual event organized by the Uganda Tourism Board to showcase Uganda’s tourism potential to international and domestic markets. The Expo serves as a platform for tourism stakeholders, including travel agents, tour operators, and media, to network, collaborate, and explore the diverse attractions that Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa, has to offer.
POATE features exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, and various networking events aimed at promoting Uganda’s tourism sector.
The event also includes cultural performances, site visits, seminars, workshops, providing a comprehensive experience of Uganda’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
The Expo not only highlights Uganda’s scenic beauty, wildlife, and cultural richness but also aims to boost the country’s profile as a premier travel destination in Africa.
Congratulations