Kenya Launches Bold Tourism Expansion to Attract Record 300,000 Ugandan Visitors in 2026 with Strategic Partnerships and Regional Travel Boost Forged at POATE

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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May 25, 2026 11:10 PM |

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Kenya is intensifying efforts to boost tourism by targeting a significant increase in visitors from Uganda, aiming for a 27 per cent rise that would see arrivals reach 300,000 in 2026. Tourism authorities and industry leaders attending the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in Kampala highlighted the event as a pivotal platform to strengthen trade connections and enhance the travel corridor that positions Uganda as a leading source of regional tourists for Kenya. The 2026 edition of POATE, concluding on 23 May, convened buyers, investors, and tourism professionals from across Africa and beyond to forge partnerships and promote intra-regional travel.

Felix Mwangangi, Country Manager for Kenya Airways in Uganda, pointed to the airline’s daily Entebbe-Nairobi-Mombasa connections as a structural enabler of the cross-border visitor growth. “Kenya Airways sits at the integral point of improving these numbers,” he said. “Flights from Entebbe to Nairobi connect daily to Mombasa thus giving travellers consistent access to the coast.”

He said POATE, like the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), continues to generate growth in passenger volumes and Kenya Airways intends to remain the primary facilitator of that movement.

The allure of Kenya’s coastline for Ugandan visitors has grown significantly, driven by years of strategic engagement and targeted tourism initiatives, according to the head of the East Africa Tourism Platform.

“Since 2016, our engagement with destinations like Diani and our campaigns such as Tembea Nyumbani as well as the Uganda-Kenya Tourism Conferencehave driven significant growth. Post-COVID, we are recording a 30 percent increase in cross-border tourism with Ugandans travelling to Kenya for weddings, MICE events and beach holidays,” he said.

Uganda maintained its position as the top regional source of visitors to Kenya in 2025, welcoming 234,556 travellers. This figure accounted for nearly one-third of all African arrivals and represented an 8.7 per cent rise over the previous year. Close behind, Tanzania contributed 209,536 visitors, marking a 7.7 per cent growth compared to 2024. Industry stakeholders also highlighted the enhanced quality of interactions at POATE 2026, signalling the expo’s evolution into a premier platform for high-value business engagement.

“The interest in the Kenyan coast from Ugandan buyers has been significant. From the contracting I conducted at this expo alone, I have seen a growth of 17 per cent,” said Doris Makena, Group Sales and Marketing Manager for Jacaranda Hotels Kenya.

Destination weddings, corporate events in Kilifi and Kwale, and large-scale gatherings are increasingly attracting Ugandan clients eager for premium, experiential travel options. Enhanced flight connections, liberalised visa policies, upgraded regional infrastructure, and platforms such as POATE and MKTE, alongside familiarization trips and collaborative conferences, continue to drive greater travel activity to Kenyan destinations. The expanding regional market has helped maintain steady occupancy in coastal resorts year-round, providing resilience against fluctuations in long-haul international arrivals. Industry insiders emphasise that events like POATE create reciprocal opportunities, showcasing the mutual benefits that Kenya and Uganda bring to each other’s travel markets.

“Uganda is a top source market for Kenya’s tourism. These two destinations are complementary such that there are things you can only experience in Kenya, and things exclusive to Uganda. That is the basis of a strong tourism partnership,” she said.

Masha highlighted that the recently refurbished Bamburi Beach Hotel has enhanced its offerings, introducing upgraded amenities and guest services that significantly elevate the visitor experience. These improvements have positioned the hotel as a prominent choice within Kenya’s competitive coastal hospitality landscape, attracting both local and international travellers.

The hotel’s new features include modernised rooms, enhanced dining options, and recreational facilities designed to appeal to diverse guest preferences. By focusing on quality service and a holistic stay experience, Bamburi Beach Hotel aims to differentiate itself from other coastal resorts and establish a unique brand identity.

At the POATE exhibition, Kenya’s delegation showcased a wide array of coast-based hospitality brands, reflecting the region’s dynamic tourism sector. Leading establishments such as Neptune Hotels, Reef Hotel, PrideInn, Bamburi, Tamarind, Diamond Leisure, and Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort actively participated, presenting their latest offerings to an international audience.

In addition to these prominent hotels, several smaller hospitality businesses from Kwale County were also part of the delegation. Their participation highlighted the diversity and growth potential of Kenya’s coastal tourism, underscoring the region’s readiness to attract more visitors and investment opportunities in the hospitality sector.