I am delighted to welcome the participants, exhibitors and all delegates to the inaugural Uganda Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, Exhibition and Fam Trip. 

This conference is historic because it is the first ever regional tourism conference and business to business engagement, we are hosting at the Kenya Coast.  As Kenya Coast, Uganda is one of our major Africa trading partners and tourism source market. Both the two nations enjoy mutual and peaceful coexistent that supports growth of regional economy. It is also important to note that both Kenya Coast and Uganda offer unique memorable and complimenting experiences, I therefore call upon the regional tourism stakeholders to seize the opportunity and work together in enhancing the regional tourism trade and investment. This conference provides opportunity for a structured discourse towards developing Kenya Coast tourism and Uganda circuit where foreign tourists to the region can visit both the two nations under one circuit while also accelerating cross border tourism.

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards the organizing committee, Ugandan Consulate, the tourism and business stakeholders, the Coast County Governments, our sponsors, partners and everyone who have been instrumental in conceptualizing and making this conference a reality. I wish you a fruitful deliberation during the conference and great fam trip experiences.

Victor. M. Shitakha

Chairman

Kenya Coast Tourist Association