Calls for direct Entebbe-Mauritius air services as Uganda tourism roadshow reaches Port Louis

October 4, 2025 in Business, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Calls for a direct air link between Entebbe and Port Louis gained prominence this week as Uganda staged its first-ever tourism roadshow in Mauritius, part of a drive to connect smaller but affluent markets to its wildlife and adventure offerings.

The two-day showcase, which opened October 3 at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Port Louis, was organised by the Uganda High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam under its Economic and Commercial Diplomacy programme. Branded “From Paradise to the Pearl”, the event positioned Uganda as a complementary destination to Mauritius’ luxury beach resorts, pairing marine tourism with gorilla trekking, safaris and cultural experiences.

The Ugandan delegation, led by State Minister for Tourism Martin Mugarra and non-resident High Commissioner Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Uganda Tourism Board. Mauritian government representatives, tour operators and luxury agents attended.

Unlike traditional promotions, the roadshow combined business-to-business networking with immersive marketing. Virtual reality headsets transported participants to the Nile, Murchison Falls and Bwindi’s gorillas, while Ugandan coffee, crafts and music engaged the senses. A familiarisation trip for Mauritian tour operators was also announced.

Amb. Mwesigye said a structured bilateral framework could benefit both destinations: “Mauritius is globally known for luxury resorts while Uganda offers biodiversity and adventure. Together, we can expand markets.”

Minister Mugarra stressed the two-way nature of the initiative, noting that Ugandan travellers to Mauritius fell from over 1,000 before Covid-19 to around 300 today. “We want to rebuild this flow in both directions,” he said, while inviting Mauritian investors to tap Uganda’s tourism sector.

Both countries already grant visa-free entry to each other’s citizens, a step officials say reduces barriers to tourism and business travel. With Africa accounting for about 60 percent of Uganda’s tourist arrivals, Mauritius represents a promising niche market for growth.

Mauritian officials responded positively, with Avihash Teelock, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, calling the partnership “highly marketable” but stressing the need for direct air links. Ambassador Sookun Rajkumar of Mauritius’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Uganda as “mesmerising,” recalling a recent visit to Kampala and Lake Victoria.

On the sidelines, Mugarra met Mauritian counterpart Jean Sydney Pierre, with both agreeing to pursue an MoU on cooperation and joint marketing. Uganda Tourism Board also highlighted the country’s growing profile as East Africa’s “adventure capital” and as a rising destination for meetings and conference tourism (MICE).

The Mauritius roadshow marks a shift in Uganda’s tourism playbook with the country now targeting niche, high-value markets with tailored pitches, and positioning the “Pearl of Africa” and the “Paradise Island” as complementary destinations for global travellers.