Uganda is set to attract more French tourists into the country following an impressive performance that pulled crowds. This set a mark on the French people at a grand exhibition that included cultural presentations during France’s most significant event, Bastille Day. on July 14, Friday last week.
The much sought-after premier event known at the Diplomatic Garden Party, is an annual occasion organized every July 14 – the Bastille Day alongside other celebrations.
This year Uganda was chosen as one of four countries to exhibit at the Diplomatic Garden Party organized by the Uganda Embassy in Paris and facilitated by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Uganda exhibited tourism, investment, culture, heritage and cuisine at the most prestigious event of the day, the Diplomatic Garden Party, held at Boise de Boulogne, an upper-middle and high-end western Paris suburb.
The Uganda Embassy in France, UTB, tourism private sector along with the Uganda Embassy in France hosted over 500 guests who were entertained by a Paris-based Ugandan dance troupe and ensemble.
Uganda was the only country that had a cultural troupe at the extravaganza. The other countries were Croatia, Suriname and Gabon. During the garden exhibition, the guests joined in the crowd-puller Ugandan music and danced and at the finale, chorused “Vive Uganda!”.
After the performance, many visitors came to the Ugandan pavilion to get more information on the countries attractions and it is hoped that the visibility the day gave Uganda will result into additional interest in Uganda as a destination, which should result into tourists choosing Uganda as a holiday destination.
The guests, who were invited mainly consisted of top diplomats accredited to France, influential business, corporate and government officials.
Uganda was one of four countries represented at the event that took place alongside the celebrations taking place at the Champs Elysees, the main celebration venue of the Bastille Day also attended by US president Donald Trump and other world leaders.
Under tourism, UTB showcased wildlife, nature, food, culture and heritage. Uganda’s outgoing ambassador to France, who is the brain-child of Uganda’s participation, was very excited at the performance.
The premier event’s organizer, VFC Group CEO, Mr. Didier Vidal, said Uganda’s performance was “Fantastic!’ He said the Uganda team was very organized and added colour and flavour to Bastille Day. He was glad Uganda participated and added this would pay off eventually.
Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani said Uganda applied to exhibit at the very competitive opportunity and was happy that UTB and the tourism private sector were very quick to embrace the partnership and take up the opportunity.
The UTB CEO, Stephen Asiimwe said France looks promising. He said UTB was looking to make inroads by engaging French tour operators and the media. Further, UTB will train embassy staff on destination marketing and branding the Uganda Embassy.
France is the second largest economy in Europe after Germany with a GDP of about US $2.8 trillion. Per capita income among the French people is estimated at $35,700.
In terms of tourism, France is the most visited country in the world – receiving about 65 million visitors every year. In terms of tourism spend, France is ranked number 4 in Europe but most of this traffic heads to Francophone West Africa.
