Tourism gets single voice

By Titus Kakembo                                    
                                                
To safeguard the fragile tourism industry, there is need for a coordinated response to health and terrorism threats that have led to cancellation of bookings in the recent past.

“I hope the newly created Tourism Communication Forum Group (TCWG) monthly interfacing with the media will bring security officials, ministry of health and other players to avoid making alarming revelations,” said the minister of tourism and antiquities Maria Mutagamba

Regretting that despite the ebola epidemic in west Africa, xenophobic violence in South Africa and terrorism in Kenya being geographically away from Uganda, some tourists cannot tell the difference.

Members of the newly created Tourism Communication Forum Group (TCWG)

“It is everyone’s challenge to help Uganda realise the 2040 Vision of seeing tourism generate $12b,” stressed Mutagamba.

“This is achievable with the private sector being key players as hotel owners, drivers, guides and entertainers.”

During the retreat, remarks by senior security officials about Entebbe International Airport not being under tight surveillance and VAT on hotels making Uganda comparably an expensive destination, were criticized during the press conference.

“The more reason we now have a single voice. And the alleged expensiveness needs research to give an informed argument to parliament,” responded Mutagamba.

“We have to compare with other destinations' prices.”

“It is time Ugandans got out of the habit of not going for holiday from their busy schedules,” argued Mutagamba.

“A house wife too needs a break from the laborious household chores.”

The ministry is also triggering the youth into domestic tourism through the ongoing search for Miss Tourism 2015/16.

West Nile, Karamoja and Kabale have already selected their three finalists due to report for boot camp in Kampala.