INCREASE OF DOMESTIC TOURISM FROM 15% TO 30%.
Despite the fact that domestic tourism was affected negatively, the pandemic made tourist attractions at standstill for domestic visitors and international visitors. The pandemic affected Uganda socially, economically, religiously and politically. In order for Uganda Tourism Board to recover from the Pandemic, they have partnered with the private sector by calling for an act of expanding domestic tourism promotion through incentive travel for the corporate organization.
Due to the pandemic, it revealed that at least 1 million tourist arrivals were lost, 7 in every 10 jobs in the sector were lost, 8 in every 10 hotels business registered business cancellations, 448,996 hotel rooms were canceled between March to July 2020, 9 in every 10 tour companies registered cancellations. The overall average Job loss in the sector was over 74%.
Uganda Tourism Association hosted a breakfast at Kampala Sheraton Hotel with an intention of bringing one of the country’s main GDP contributors (the tourism sector) back to its feet. The President of the country’s tourism private sector umbrella body Mrs. Pearl Hoareau Kakooza made a pertinent appeal to the company chiefs to harness domestic tourism as an alternative tool for motivating their labor force through reward actions like paid holidays, which she said would strengthen corporate synergy and improve productivity at the workplace.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife & Antiquities Mrs. Doreen Katusiime said that in recent times, the domestic market has become a key focus in our promotional efforts. Indeed, successful world tourism destinations are characterized by a strong domestic market. This is an existing market that is less prone to seasonal fluctuations or basing travel decisions on the international media and foreign advisory note ratings of the destination.
Ms. Katusiime added saying that she is so happy to note that there is increasing visitation by the Ugandans to their destinations. This demand is supported by the growing size of the middle class, the influx of the corporate sector and the ICT revolution that has made information more accessible.
“We need to embrace our country as Corporate main stream it our policies, let’s be the change” Dr. Elly Karuhanga, a seasoned private sector investor and the chair of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda has come to pass since the Tourism sector lost a lot due to pandemic.
What are the benefits of Domestic Tourism in Uganda?
- Improved infrastructure.
UTB in charge of protecting and managing the national parks in Uganda has improved on infrastructure within and outside the parks. Improvement on roads has eased the way to the parks as well as reduced accidents along the way thus increase of domestic tourism to 30%. Although domestic tourism is annual, the best time for touring is the dry season when wildlife animals like elephants, giraffes, monkeys, hippopotamus, buffalos, waterbucks and many more are spotted than in the wet season despite the fact that roads have been improved.
- Employment opportunities
Domestic Tourism in Uganda has not only improved the standards of people but also provided employment opportunities to the local people surrounding the touristic attractions. UTB gives 20% to the local communities around the parks who have set up local markets for visitors to support them and some have been employed as porters, game rangers and guides. The sensitization of the people around the touristic attractions has secured the lives of wildlife and birds in the parks where unemployment would result in poaching animals in the park, encroachment and many more.
- Improvement in security.
Domestic tourism is booming more when the country is secure with no wars like those in the Democratic Republic of Congo which is less visited due to insecurity. Domestic tourism in Uganda has increased from 15% to 30% which increases the GDP of the tourism industry.
Due to the pandemic covid-19, most Uganda safaris have been put at standstill to secure the lives of animals like mount Gorillas and chimpanzees who are known to be close relatives of humans. The insecurity of the virus caused the country to be in lockdown which lowered the GDP on domestic tourism. UTB giving strict rules to follow during the travels like wearing masks and sanitizing resurrected domestic tourism as well as foreign tours thus security during travels has increased by 30% in domestic tourism.
How Uganda Tourism potential is getting market attention?
My gorilla family app launch.
Do you want to access 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in their homes? My Gorilla family app is here for your service where you will follow their daily excursions, celebrate their birthdays, and family migrations and receive updates from the rangers who protect the gorillas and know them best. Get to know the different habituated gorilla families and fall in love with their undeniably charming personalities!
These gorillas are known to be close relatives of humans due to 94%DNA. The app launched is a pioneering initiative and leveraging technology to create sustainable sources of non-trekking revenues to fund conservation. Gorilla trekking is not only supported by domestic visitors but also foreign visitors who have supported the gorilla family app as well as trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park.
Explore Uganda launch.
Unveiling a new identity to showcase the adventure waiting in the African nation, UTB has refreshed its destination brand ‘Explore Uganda’ launch to recover from the pandemic loss that affected the Tourism industry negatively. The launch was hosted by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Kololo airstrip. The launch has exposed the Africa tours adventure attractions in the pearl of Africa which has improved in market and GDP in the Tourism industry.
About Uganda Tourism Association.
AUTO is an umbrella body that brings together all tourism trade associations in Uganda. the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Uganda Safari Guides Association, Uganda Hotel Owners Association, The Uganda Association of Travel Agents, National Arts and Cultural Crafts Association of Uganda, Association of Uganda Women in Tourism Trade, Uganda Community Tourism Association and Hotel General Managers Association Of Uganda are the current member union. The associations represent tour operators, travel agents, accommodation facilities, tour guides, and community-based organizations however membership is increasing steadily.
