Uganda plans to market the country’s tourism offering in Japan, China and the Gulf States, to potential tourists.

Uganda’s Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Professor Ephraim Kamuntu, says the government plans to deploy three public relations firms in the targeted markets.

He said the government had so far spent $1.5m, and the impact had already been registered. “With the Americas, the increase in tourist arrivals is 17%. That is why we are increasing the number from three to six public relations firms. About 130 million Chinese go out as tourists so what if we got 1% coming here? Japan too, and the Gulf States such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have people who have money to spend,” he said.

In 2016, the Uganda Tourism Board contracted three firms to market the country in its leading markets – the US, the UK and Germany.

Uganda is targeting four million tourists by 2020.