UTB MEETS THE WORLD BANK TEAM TO DISCUSSSUPPORT FOR TOURISM
On 1st, Thursday, 2022, Ms. Mukami Karuiki the World Bank team Country Manager Private sector specialist, finance, competitiveness and innovation held a meeting with Uganda Tourism Board at its head office in Kampala to lay synergies on areas of support to the tourism industry in Uganda.
Hon. Daudi Migereko UTB Chairman Board of Directors presided over the meeting. Other members of the Board who attended include Vice Chairman Mrs. Suzan Muhwezi, Mr. Eddy Kirya, Ms. Yogi Birigwa, Mr. Lyazi Vivian, UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova and management staff of the institution.
What is the key highlight of the meeting?
Because of its far-reaching trickle-down effects that feed into linkages of other sectors, the state of Uganda’s tourism sector is a key highlight to the post-COVID-19 revamps of the economy degetated by Hon. Daudi Migereko UTB Board Chair. Tourism was one of the country’s biggest foreign exchange earners during the pre-pandemic. The pandemic affected the employment opportunities for the youth where the majority were women and girls unfortunately who lost their jobs during the lockdown
How did UTB recover from the pandemic as the tourism sector?
Support from World Bank.
The need to support funding of tourism plans and initiatives by the World Bank has helped the sector to recover. Before the global pandemic, Hon. Migereko noted that would go a long way to facilitate the economic recovery of the sector to its pole position.
“In after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Uganda and tourism industry players are investing heavily in the sector’s recovery. However, there are a lot of shortfalls that require external funding to be able to successfully implement the recovery plans,” he noted.
Due to the pandemic, he requested the World Bank to extend affordable credit financing solutions to support tourism sector players who are grappling with effects arising from the pandemic orchestrated by losses to businesses
Explore Uganda launch.
At Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, the President urged the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities together with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to put more emphasis on community and cultural tourism branded the explore Uganda launches the Pearl of Africa as the face of destination Uganda and plans to roll out the brand countrywide. During the launch, the president pointed out some unique aspects that highlight Uganda’s tourism potential that should be emphasized in Uganda’s terrain, vegetation and climate, wildlife, weather and location.
“The ministry has embarked on several initiatives aimed at enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness as a destination.” The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col. Tom Butime said.
Your Excellency, on behalf of the Tourism Sector, allow me to extend our commitment to increasing tourism contribution to national development, increasing the number of tourist visitors in the country, increasing our contribution to GDP, protecting and conserving the natural habitats, and flora and fauna,” Butime said
My gorilla family app launch.
Boom My Gorilla Family App unveiled in the pearl of Africa. A mobile-based subscription application that enables users to join a gorilla family and contribute to saving endangered species. during a hybrid launch event held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, notable conservationists, stakeholders and panelists including UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova geared the technological inventiveness towards saving and protecting the rare mountain gorilla species, plus generate sustainable resources of non–trekking revenue sources to fund conservation efforts.
RoundBob and the Naturalists. Subscribers partnering with UWA will pay $2 per month for an all-access pass to the Bwindi/Mgahinga Conservation Areas, home to more than 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas; keep an eye on their daily excursions, family migrations, celebrate their birthdays and new births, and receive notifications from the rangers.
“To discuss tourism developments as I revealed the overarching view of the World Bank to support Uganda’s tourism industry and its players, as well as product development, digital infrastructure, and many more.” Ms. Mukami Kariuki on her part noted welcoming the idea of regular meetings
“Uganda is absolutely ready for an application and a festival like this. It is time for the world to come and see how much more adventure Uganda has to offer.” UTB CEO Lily Ajarova commented.
‘Uganda’s Vision 2040 identifies tourism as a fundamental opportunity that should be harnessed as a matter of priority to facilitate the socio-economic transformation of Uganda into a prosperous upper middle-income country. The sector is expected to contribute towards job creation, foreign exchange earnings, investment promotion, poverty reduction and conservation.” Ms. Lilly added.
