TOURISM | PSFU | UGANDA 

So much is being done to reposition Uganda as the most preferred destination on the Africa content and globally. 

This was revealed by the in-charge of tourism at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Civy Tumusiime.

“PSFU and the ministry of tourism are pooling synergies and expertise to render the tourism atmosphere conducive for investors as the number of arrivals surges,” revealed Tumusiime.

“All we need is the timely response from those marketing the destination in times of crisis, like Covid-19 in 2020 and Ebola now,” says Tumusiime. “The president played his part to explain to the populace, and so did the Ministry of Health.”

The onus is upon the tour operators, guides, influencers, and most of all Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to give details of how far Mubende is from Kidepo Valley National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Tumusiime says tour operators, hoteliers, and destination dealers continue attending tourism fairs in Europe, Africa, and Asia to showcase what Uganda has to for tourists.

“There are over 3800 hotels in Uganda today and the ten parks whose population on attractions are on the increase. According to Nature Uganda, the number of bird species shot from 1065 to 1090. The rhinos, elephants, and others are following suit.”

Tumusiime says tour operators, hoteliers, and destination dealers continue attending tourism fairs in Europe, Africa, and Asia to showcase what Uganda has to for tourists.

“We were present at Magical Kenya, Kilifair in Tanzania, and are at the World Travel Market in London,” says Tumusiime. “These are in addition to another 5 planned out for next year thanks to the CEDP project under PSFU.”

True Tumusiime’s word there is a re-emergence, of Uganda, onto the global tourism industry map. Tourism gurus, Lonely Planet named it, its top destination. 

In rapid succession came another accolade crowning Bwindi as the Best African Birding Destination by Travel Africa Magazine.

To crown, it was the Rwenzori Mountains recognized as one of the World’s 15 Best Hikes (2011) by the National Geographic Society.

The numerous accolades are expected to translate into Uganda’s attainment of the much-desired tourism competitiveness within the region and globally.

A tour guide/driver, Noel Bayo says the numbers were shooting up with gorilla tracking, bird watching, and primates in the lead. New products are also picking up momentum as far as culture and art are packaged.