Explore Uganda campaign is applauded for lifting up domestic tourism. Martin Mugarra, the state minister for tourism, wildlife, and antiquities, has praised the Explore Uganda-the Panel of Africa program for encouraging domestic tourism within the nation.
President Museveni began the Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa campaign in 2022 with the intention of revitalizing the nation’s tourism industry, which was severely impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.
President Museveni defined it as a plan to revamp Uganda’s tourist industry and establish the country as a viable tourism destination on a global scale.
Speaking on the success of the program’s various initiatives, Mugarra claimed that the Explore Uganda campaign has significantly contributed to the present upward trend in domestic travel, which wasn’t the case earlier.
“Since this intervention, there are now 839,000 more Ugandans visiting the protected area than there were before from 132,000; our goal is to bring 1 million local tourists to these locations.” He spoke.
Prior to COVID, the tourism industry generated 1.6 billion dollars, and the minister claims that with this and additional interventions, they hope to increase that amount.
“One of the various initiatives our ministry and government are undertaking to ensure that tourism regains its luster and even surpasses it is Explore Uganda. Before COVID, tourism generated about USD 1.6 billion, but in the next four years, we hope it will generate even USD 5 billion. If we have the necessary support and frameworks, we feel we are capable of accomplishing this goal, said Mugarra.
According to Mugarra, highlighting important locations across the nation primarily aims to appeal to domestic consumers, but the government is placing its greater emphasis on the foreign market. To this end, the government is spending on both international marketing and the improvement of Ugandan products.
The program has assisted in maintaining visitors as well as growing their numbers, according to Stephen Masaaba, Director for Tourism and Business Development at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
“Part of the money collected from visitors to these locations is donated to the local community, while the other part goes toward preserving the protected region.
