The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 (G-77)+China Summits held in Kampala in January attracted 3, 500 guests in total and these consumed 56, 000 eggs in eight days, Business Focus exclusively reports.
Each of the guests had breakfast with two eggs per day at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo. This implies a total of 7, 000 eggs were consumed per day and a total of 56, 000 eggs were consumed in eight days.
An egg costs between Shs300 and Shs500 depending on the cost of feeds.
This is according to the Uganda Convention Bureau, a Unit in the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). The Unit is among others tasked with the job of promoting Uganda as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences/Conventions and Events/Exhibitions).
As such, the team is always looking at calendars of international events before sending in a bid. NAM and G-77 + China Summits are one of the events the Unit was on top of.
According to Rick Taylor, a member of the Unit and the Chief Executive Officer, Business Tourism Company, MICE comes with benefits which he says may not be tangible. He gave the example of eggs consumed by guests for breakfast during NAM and G-77 + China Summits held in Kampala in January 2024.
Globally, tourism generates US$ 28 billion. However, only 3% come to Africa.
Taylor says that out of the 3% coming to Africa, Uganda is tapping into just 5%, but “the opportunity is really huge.”
“We are now going for bigger conferences with the new Convention Centre at the Speke Resort,” said Taylor during a meeting with editors drawn from major media houses in the country held at the Skyz Hotel in Naguru recently.
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Data shows that during the NAM and G-77 Summits alone, the Speke Resort – Munyonyo recruited 850 additional staff to have the guests effectively and efficiently served.
“We are optimistic about the future of this country in terms of MICE,” added Taylor.
He says that there are enablers such as safety and security, price, quality and sustainability, facilities and services, accessibility, and destination awareness/attractiveness. These are in the areas of trade, science, agriculture, energy, education, mining, technology and medical among others.
Taylor says the government needs to provide an enabling environment for MICE to thrive.
Data shows that 55% of MICE guests extend business travel pre-post tours in the past 24 hours while 48% of those guests are likely to return for leisure within 5 years.
