By Gerald Tenywa

You can run but you cannot hide. The digital era has hit home literally. This is because the people who are digital savvy have the whole world at a mere click.

The market place has not been spared and digital technologies are being used to engage and hook clients. "The internet can be used for research," John Ssempebwa, the deputy chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), said.

"There is a lot of information and if you are smart, internet will help you to conduct research." Ssempebwa added: "At UTB, the digital technologies have simplified products. These days you do not have to look for the oldest man in the village to get information; the internet is always available."

He was speaking in Kampala ahead of the UN World Tourism Day celebrated on September 27. The day will be commemorated in Jinja, also referred to as East Africa's adventure capital under the theme: Digital Transformation and Tourism. Apart from research, the digital technologies can be used for consumer feedback and promotion of Uganda as a tourism destination.

It also has a wide reach as opposed to conventional approaches. "We have reached the targeted audience at a reduced cost," Ssempebwa said. The digital technologies are being applied by tourism firms hired by UTB to sell Uganda to different citizens in the US, UK and Germany. He said UTB is going to do the same in the Gulf States; also referred to as the Middle East in addition to Japan and China. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY 

Tourism sector future bright

Give us an insight into your association and how it fosters the development of the tourism sector

AUTO is Uganda's leading tourism trade association, representing the interests of the country's prominent and experienced professional tour operators. AUTO has been in existence since 1995 and has a membership of over 250 active members who offer a wide range of tour packages/services. In addition to representing and lobbying for issues affecting tour companies in the country, we uphold the good reputation of Destination Uganda by ensuring that the Ugandan tour operators maintain the highest standards of service and value guided by our vision and strategic plan. In our engagements with the partners from the public, we recommend certain Standards which the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities would consider in determining whether or not to grant or renew the licence of an operator. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

Why Jinja is an adventurous city

Located at the confluence of Lake Victoria and River Nile, Jinja is a magnet for tourists who visit it as the perfect get-away as they savour its beautiful attractions. With a population of about 392,000 people, Jinja town is the second most important city of Uganda and in the 1960's, it was the industrial heart of the country. According to Uganda tourist sites, 6.94% of the district area is open water, 1.63% wetland and 8.3% is forest. These and other factors have made tourists to get attracted to the area. So, what exactly attracts tourists to Jinja?

Source of the Nile
John Sempebwa, the deputy chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), says being the secondlongest river in the world, tourists flock to the Nile to touch and feel it. "It is at the source of the Nile where John Speke stood in 1861 and saw the Rippon Falls, something everyone wants to experience," he says. This gives Jinja a competitive edge over other tourist destinations. Tourism, he says, is fast replacing manufacturing for which the town was famous in the past. With the source of the Nile, comes the promise of adventure. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY 

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