Uganda has strategically positioned itself at Europe’s most influential tourism platform, targeting African travelling visitors for more investment in the country’s tourism sector.
A three day International & French Travel Market (IFTM) running from Tuesday 15th to Thursday 17th September 2026, will see Uganda showcase its tourism potential at the Top Resa at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The event brings together government agencies and 17 Ugandan destination management companies and tour operators at Stand E048.
H.E. Ambassador Doreen Ruth Amule, the Ambassador to France, Spain and Portugal and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, says that with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority, this has been made possible.
She says the Ugandan delegation includes Hon. Susan Nakauci, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, who will engage international tourism stakeholders and visitors during the three-day event.
Ambassador Amule, boast of remarkable growth in international tourism, as in 2025, Uganda welcomed 1,642,215 international visitors, representing a 19.7 percent increase year-on-year, while tourism receipts reached US$1.62 billion, a 21.3 percent increase.
As usual, Ambassador Amule says Uganda offers a distinctive combination of mountain gorilla trekking, savannah safaris, birdwatching, cultural experiences, hiking, Nile adventures, white-water rafting and community-based tourism,with France Emerging as a Key Market.
She says that last year 2025 alone, Uganda received 7,439 French visitors, more than double the number recorded in 2024, placing France among Uganda’s leading international and European source markets.
Amule says the Embassy this time round is targeting at least 13,000 French visitors, and a combined 18,000 visitors from France, Spain and Portugal, as it intensifies destination promotion across the region.
Amule remains optimistic that their presence at IFTM, together with other partners, is essential to establish direct relationships, developing new products and strengthening Uganda’s position in the European market.
Making this more workable, H.E. Ambassador Doreen Ruth Amule, points to 2027 AFCON games, saying many European visitors won’t like to miss out and such an opportunity will be a blessing to the tourism sector back home in Uganda.
