On December 6, 2018 Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO, Uganda Tourism Board will deliver a presentation on how ‘farmers and those in the hospitality and tourism industries gain prominence due to global exposure’ – at the Coffee and Tourism Symposium and Exposition -the region’s first forum for the coffee-tourism industry.
In his presentation, Mr. Asiimwe will share his knowledge about the history of Ugandan coffee and hospitality by referring to the Pearl of Africa can unlock its coffee tourism potential.
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, according to experts.
As Mr. Asiimwe stressed in a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, the interest of the global market in Uganda’s quality coffee motivated the approach.
The event is projected to bring together at least 180 delegates and 20 exhibitors including tour operators, coffee farmers, hoteliers and others involved in the hospitality and coffee industry, it was indicated. It will provide an opportunity for these stakeholders to meet, establish business relationships, and discuss coffee tourism opportunities and ways to improve business.
Coffee farmers will be linked to consumers under a farm-to-cup approach, with consumers touring farms and sharing their experience.
“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,” says Mr. Asiimwe.
“Coffee and tourism are some of the biggest contributors to Uganda’s GDP. Secondly where there’s tourism attraction, coffee grows. It is from this that we have been motivated to organize this symposium,” said Joan Kantu Else, chief executive of Coffee Tourism Uganda.
Through the Coffee Roadmap, the Ugandan government aims to increase coffee exports from the current 4.6 million bags (60 kg per bag) a year to 20 million bags by 2025.
Based on source type, the global coffee market has been segmented into Arabica, Robusta and Liberica, which Arabica holds the highest share of 70 percent in the market.
The global market value of coffee is expected to witness a 5.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), in the coming five years.
Conversely, the price fluctuation of coffee beans and climate change, leading to supply shortage, are restraining in the market.
The first Coffee and Tourism Symposium and Exposition is to deliberate on driving factors for Uganda’s coffee market growth.
Global experts
Renowned coffee and tourism expert, Mr. Glenn Jampol, the President and co-owner of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort and a renowned international sustainable tourism expert from Costa Rica and Ms. Judy Kepher-Gona, a travel and tourism expert from Kenya will be key speakers at the symposium slated for 6 December in Kampala.
It is expected that the event will become an annual event with growth in the number of participants.
