WORLD TOURISM DAY IS RECOGNISED IN UGANDA.
On Tuesday 27th, September 2022 at Sheraton hotel Kampala, Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Tourism Day celebrated under the theme “rethinking tourism,” emphasizing how sector players can rethink the tactics of endearing the masses to enjoy nature in a sustainable and eco-tourist way.
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is the guest of honor joined by Hon. Tom Butime Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, State minister for Tourism, Ms. Doreen Katusiime Permanent Secretary among many government officials, development partners and the media.
“My emphasis and reach today is that tourism is not an isolated sector for a few players and stakeholders but rather a unifying sector in that if it wins, everybody wins. More tourism numbers mean more profits for everyone and every player at all levels. That’s why I call for the formation of a forum for the tourism sector just like other sectors. I also call for effective and sensitive communication. Ugandans are good at breaking news, but let’s have an organized way of communicating about issues to still have tourists come here,” Hon Frank said to move tourism in one direction.
Why did the world tourism day 2022 theme ‘rethinking’?
Based on Uganda, the theme for world tourism day is to bear the much-needed fruits for all is clearly defined as what economies need to do to strategize.
Rethinking as the phrase goes, simply implies doing things differently, moving away from the ordinary, and rather capitalizing on new and improved ways of developing, managing, and promoting tourism for sustainable development.
Uganda had intensified the domestic tourism drive with the aim of creating awareness about the beauty of this country in the domestic market.
The initiatives like World Tourism Day celebration are a great platform for us as a sector to share and showcase not only the opportunities and benefits of the tourism sector but also the need to preserve and conserve our natural, cultural and historical beauty on which tourism largely depends
What did UTB with stakeholders do to improve the tourism industry in Uganda?
“We are ready to work with several partners including the cabinet to advocate for the betterment of the tourism industry.” UTB Board chair Hon. Daudi Migereko noted in need to invest in the tourism industry.
Royal Expedition of King Oyo Rwenzori.
King Oyo summited the highest peak in the which has improved the tourism industry. Tourism and antiquities minister Tom Butime said that this year marks the silver jubilee celebration of the reign of King Oyo of Toro Kingdom. This is part of the motivation that persuaded us to celebrate the event in Fort Portal and also recognize the new status of Fort Portal as a tourism city.
“The monarchy is endowed with good weather, food, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, hospitable people, national parks, among other things” Toro Kingdom tourism minister Joan Kantu said. She said that makes people appreciate the culture they have to offer more than the wild animals and nature. Involve rural communities in appreciating our culture.
Explore Uganda.
Explore Uganda the pearl of Africa was launched by H.E Yoweri Kaguta in Kololo Airstrip as a destination brand that aims at boosting the tourism industry as a key and emerging market around the world. “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.
He added saying that our Excellency on behalf of the Tourism Sector, allow her to extend their commitment to increase tourism contribution to national development, to increase the number of tourist visitors in the country, to increase our contribution to GDP, protect and conserve the natural habitats, and flora and fauna.
My Gorilla Family App.
My Gorilla family app recently unveiled Uganda’s conservationists a mobile-based subscription application that enables users to join a gorilla family and contribute to saving the endangered species. During a hybrid, the technological inventiveness geared towards saving and protecting the rare mountain gorilla species, plus generating sustainable resources of non–trekking revenue sources to fund conservation efforts was announced.
“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 Uganda has to offer.” Lily Ajarova, UTB CEO – commended the initiative.
Nyege Nyege.
“Social events such as Nyege Nyege as big platforms to promote tourism as these put Uganda on the world map given the vast numbers of international participants that come to attend the festival like witnessed recently at Itanda falls which hosted more than 20,000 revelers for the three days of the event.” Hon. Migereko lauded.
How did KCCA help UTB in the tourism industry?
Kcca is working on making Kampala a smart city so as to meet the needs and expectations of residents and tourists and also make it vibrant and sustainable. KCCA ED Dorothy Kisaka revealed that the three core pillars that are championing the smart city project included technology, infrastructure and people which will enhance service delivery, beautify the city and enable a smart way people work, live and enjoy the city. The city accommodates people from all over the country, region and the world and therefore we invite our tourists to come to a city where we all co-exist.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ms. Kisaka also highlighted the partnership KCCA has in the development of tourism in Kampala
Through social events that increase visitation numbers to the city, KCCA supports the attraction of tourists.
Despite the challenges in the sector posed by the pandemic, the Sector has been a slow but steady rise of tourists visiting across the country as well as the funds to support the economy are upbeat that this recovery will continue.
