Plan unveiled to attract tourists
Oct 01, 2008
A plan to position Uganda as the world’s best tourist destination has been revealed. Tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo unveiled the plan on Friday at a tourism development forum held at hotel Margherita in Kasese town as part of celebrations to mark the international tourism day.
By Benard Masereka
and John B. Thawite
A plan to position Uganda as the world’s best tourist destination has been revealed. Tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo unveiled the plan on Friday at a tourism development forum held at hotel Margherita in Kasese town as part of celebrations to mark the international tourism day.
“We are in the process of importing 100 comfortable vehicles from South Africa to run the industry,†Rukundo noted.
He said the government was luring investors to engage in constructing first class hotels in the zoned areas.
According to Rukundo, the government was also rehabilitating the Tourism Training Institute at Jinja. He said the Government had signed an agreement with Utali of Kenya to train Ugandans in hotel management.
“We are about to embark on the improvement of the trails, services and infrastructure in the Rwenzori mountains.†He added that the plan would soon be forwarded to the cabinet.
Earlier, several participants, mostly from the private sector, had accused government of neglecting the tourism industry.
They criticised the tourism ministry for failing to publicise Uganda’s tourism potential.
Averono Pietro, an Italian consular officer, said his country had special interests in the Rwenzori. He urged tourism stakeholders to publicise and promote the industry.
However, Rukundo asked Ugandans to appreciate the development trends the country was taking.
“The NRM government is not made up of stupid people. Be patient but prepare to play your roles,†he said.
He noted that Uganda was behind in the development of tourism because of the rebellions the NRM government inherited from 1986.
He challenged the private sector to start developing the sector, saying the government would to give them support.
and John B. Thawite
A plan to position Uganda as the world’s best tourist destination has been revealed. Tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo unveiled the plan on Friday at a tourism development forum held at hotel Margherita in Kasese town as part of celebrations to mark the international tourism day.
“We are in the process of importing 100 comfortable vehicles from South Africa to run the industry,†Rukundo noted.
He said the government was luring investors to engage in constructing first class hotels in the zoned areas.
According to Rukundo, the government was also rehabilitating the Tourism Training Institute at Jinja. He said the Government had signed an agreement with Utali of Kenya to train Ugandans in hotel management.
“We are about to embark on the improvement of the trails, services and infrastructure in the Rwenzori mountains.†He added that the plan would soon be forwarded to the cabinet.
Earlier, several participants, mostly from the private sector, had accused government of neglecting the tourism industry.
They criticised the tourism ministry for failing to publicise Uganda’s tourism potential.
Averono Pietro, an Italian consular officer, said his country had special interests in the Rwenzori. He urged tourism stakeholders to publicise and promote the industry.
However, Rukundo asked Ugandans to appreciate the development trends the country was taking.
“The NRM government is not made up of stupid people. Be patient but prepare to play your roles,†he said.
He noted that Uganda was behind in the development of tourism because of the rebellions the NRM government inherited from 1986.
He challenged the private sector to start developing the sector, saying the government would to give them support.