Sustainable stars at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo – Diary of a Muzungu

Showcasing sustainability at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2024: the best sustainable tourism stands and Fair Trade Tourism Early Adopters

Charlotte Beauvoisin, writer of Diary of a Muzungu, was honoured to help judge Uganda’s Sustainable Tourism Awards. Thanks to my fellow judges, Uganda Tourism Board team and Enabel for helping me compile this article.

As Uganda embarks on its sustainable tourism journey, many companies and partners are coming together to train, implement and promote best practices in sustainable, responsible and Fair Trade Tourism. The giving of awards is a good way to showcase best practice and encourage responsible tourism. 

With this in mind, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) with the support of Enabel (the Belgian development agency) held the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo’s inaugural sustainable tourism awards. In 2024, these awards were judged purely on the stands of exhibitors taking part in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE). It’s hoped that in future years, the awards can take a deeper look at the company’s commitments and operations – beyond the expo itself.

The judges agreed to make four awards this year: 

1. Best Sustainable Stand – Overall
2. Best Sustainable Stand – Tour and Travel
3. Best Sustainable Stand – Hospitality
4. Best Sustainable Stand – Innovation

For the full list of runners-up and special mentions, scroll down.

In 2024, the judges assessed POATE exhibitors based on the following criteria:

Design and construction materials of stand: EXAMPLES. Stands that used natural, locally sourced or recycled materials; designs that embodied the culture they are promoting; clever use of technology. The materials were considered biofriendly and encouraged community engagement since they were sourced from within the community and after use they would be easy to dispose of.

Waste reduction: EXAMPLES. Refillable metal water bottles and QR codes (instead of plastic bottles and lots of printed leaflets); the use or promotion of recycled products; promotional giveaways that were made in Uganda, and not imported. The judges applauded locally sourced materials that can be used in multiple ways.

General impressions of the stand, its attractiveness, welcoming staff with a sense of professionalism and inclusiveness: EXAMPLES. Smiling, knowledgeable staff are key to making a good impression. At stands that did well, staff wore branded uniforms or traditional dress, and gave a good sense of the destination or activity they were promoting.

Sustainable product offer: EXAMPLES. Development of new activities; promotion of new destinations; community-based tourism (developed with the community at heart) and low carbon footprint activities were of particular interest; stands that promoted environmental initiatives such as the planting of indigenous trees.

How decisions were reached

With the Uganda Tourism Board and Enabel, the judges identified a set of four criteria. The judges then toured the Expo and Cultural Village at the Pearl of Tourism Expo to nominate and assess eye-catching stands that they believed demonstrated the stand owner’s commitment to sustainability. The judges then deliberated to agree a shortlist.

Judges at the sustainable tourism awards 2024

• Assoc. Prof Jim Ayorekire – Makerere University, Department of Forestry Biodiversity and Tourism
• Lucie Carlier – Project Manager, Enabel
• Robert Ntale – Vice Chairperson, Exclusive Sustainable Tour Operators Association (ESTOA)
• Eric Ntalumbwa – PR Manager, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
• Charlotte Beauvoisin – Diary of a Muzungu & CBI Netherlands (Trainer in Sustainable Tourism & Digital Marketing)
• Samora Machel Semakula – Quality Assurance Manager, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)

In the words of this year’s judges

“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good.” (Jochen Zeitz). As a sector and a country, we need to ensure tourism contributes to enhancing the experience of the tourists and at the same time improving the livelihoods of the host communities through responsible practices. Am glad to contribute in this direction.”

Assoc. Prof. Jim Ayorekire, Makerere University

“It was an honour to serve as a judge for the Sustainable and Fair Trade Tourism awards at the POATE this year. Seeing the innovative ways these tourism businesses are promoting sustainability and fair practices was truly inspiring. Their commitment to environmental protection, community empowerment, and ethical operations is helping to shape a more responsible tourism industry in Uganda. Being part of recognizing these early adopters and leaders in sustainable and equitable tourism was a highlight of the event for me.”

Lucie Carlier, Enabel

“Sustainability and innovation took centre stage at POATE 2024. My hope and prayer is that these Awards are sustainable! The stakeholders need more engagement to embrace sustainability through responsible tourism, because there is willingness to adhere.”

Eric Ntalumbwa

“Thank you to Uganda Tourism Board and Enabel for inviting me to be one of the judges. It was a pleasure to collaborate with my peers. Based on these first awards, I look forward to seeing a burst of creativity in sustainable tourism in Uganda!”

Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu & The East Africa Travel Podcast

Winners of the Best Sustainable Stands at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2024

Best Sustainable Stand – Overall winner – Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board

Best Sustainable Stand – Tour and Travel

1. Kara-tunga Arts and Tours
2. Maleng Travel
3. Loremi Tours – experience the soul of Acholi

Best Sustainable Stand – Hospitality

1. Mucha Riverside Lodge, Bwindi / Kisoro
2. Lemala Authentic Camps and Lodges, Jinja
3. Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison Falls
4. Four Points by Sheraton, Kampala
5. Kikonko Lodge, Lake Albert

Best Sustainable Stand – Innovation

1. Good Glass, Kampala recycled glass household items
2. SANA Gorilla Rafting
3. KAFRED (Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development), Bigodi near Kibale Forest. Community-based tourism, locally made crafts, training centre for local guides
4. “Beyond the Park” conservancy model of conservation outside three National Parks:
   Kidepo Valley https://kkakkawildlife.org and Murchison Falls https://snarestowares.com and Lake Mburo https://rccuganda.org

Special Mention: Hospitality

1. Lodge Solutions
2. Gazelle Hospitality
3. Whispers of the Nile

Special Mention: Innovation at the Cultural Village at the Pearl of Tourism Expo 2024

• Van Van Doch Art Studio: local artisans displayed a giant mountain gorilla made from recycled steel.
• West Nile Tourism Network: exhibited artefacts and culture, such as the porridge culinary experience.
• Kaynela Farms: mixed farming on large scale with food chain systems and BSF fly to feed chicken. 
• Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) waste management unit: initiative to upcycle waste material
• Kigezi Tourism Cluster: invited the Batwa minority ethnic group from the local community to dance at the expo. (They were a real hit with visitors!)
• Eco Action Uganda: created the thought-provoking elephant statue recycled from hundreds of discarded boda helmets. 

Fair Trade Tourism Certification early adopters

POATE was also an opportunity to recognise the first ten “Early adopters of the journey towards Fair Trade Tourism Certification,” these being (in alphabetical order): 

1. Acholi Culinary Experience
2. Acholi Homestay
3. Bushpig Backpackers
4. Karamoja Safari Camp
5. Miika Eco Resort
6. Morungole Eco Camp
7. Muhabura Cultural Experience and Craft Centre
8. Ruhija Community Rest Camp
9. Timu Eco Camp
10. Turaco Treetops

Making Fair Trade Tourism Certification available for Ugandan tourism and hospitality businesses is a project sponsored by Enabel. The development agency invites all eligible tourism businesses to register their interest in becoming pioneers of Fair Trade Tourism in Uganda, here. This initiative presents a unique opportunity to showcase their dedication to ethical tourism and responsible travel while opening up new market opportunities.

By recognising companies whose work directly and positively impacts communities and contributes to environmental preservation, we hope that more Ugandans will benefit from the positive influence of tourism. Through recognising exhibitors who have considered how to minimise their environmental footprint, and equitably supporting employment of…