AFCON 2027 Uganda travel packages are being pitched to French buyers at the IFTM Top Resa tourism fair in Paris, where 11 Ugandan operators reported fully booked meetings at Stand T072 from September 15 to 17.
The discussions have moved beyond general destination enquiries to advance contracting for 2027-2028, covering gorilla permit allocations, chimpanzee tracking, Big Five safaris and Rwenzori trekking.
The Embassy of Uganda in Paris said buyers are also exploring multi-destination travel packages around the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
Minister of State for Tourism Susan Nakawuki and Ambassador Doreen Ruth Amule are leading the delegation at the three-day fair at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
France has emerged among Uganda's top 10 international tourism source markets, with 7,439 French visitors recorded in 2025 — more than double the 2024 figure.
French visitors averaged expenditure of more than $2,025 per trip, with stays ranging from eight to over 15 nights.
Uganda recorded 1.64 million international visitors in 2025, a 19.7% increase from the previous year, while tourism receipts reached $1.62 billion.
The question the story leaves open is whether AFCON 2027 can genuinely convert sports tourists into long-stay wildlife and adventure travellers, or whether the tournament delivers only a short-term spike.
This is Uganda's third consecutive year at IFTM Top Resa under the Government's Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Programme.
Ugandan operators at the Paris fair:
- Africa Adventure Vacations
- Cheetah Safaris Uganda
- Destination Jungle
- Grassrootz Adventures
- Home to Africa
- Ibis Adventures
- Kazinga Tours
- Let's Go Travel
- Sites Travel Uganda
- Tripcare Adventures
- Terrace Safaris
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Source: SoftPower News
