Tourism and hospitality sector bets on technology

Mar 18, 2019

Tourism is currently Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earner, bringing in in excess of $1.45b annually according to government estimates.

 
Digital booking and payment systems are set to revolutionize the tourism industry, experts predicted at the 3rd edition of Brainchild BCW innovation series in Kampala.
 
"Digital platforms now allow real time bookings as opposed to 15 years ago where one needed to contact a call center to make a booking," Samantha Muna, the director of development, Hilton Hotels East Africa said via video link.
 
Walter Wafula, the Business Unit Head for Public Relations at Brainchild said that the innovation series is a thought leadership event aimed at promoting innovation in business through thought-provoking discussions on new and cost- effective ways of delivering products, and services which affect the growth of firms or organizations.
 
During a panel discussion, Aly Allibhai of Talent Africa states pointed out that technology makes it easier to attract thousands of tourists for large events. "When marketed properly, technology makes it possible to attract international artists and put Uganda in the spotlight which in turn boosts the hospitality industry and improves the image of Uganda as a tourist destination," he said.
 
However, Brian Ntambirweki, the marketing director of the Virtual University of Uganda despite technology making it possible to complete transactions by wiring money straight from ones bank account, there is still need for qualified and professional people for service delivery.
 
"Tourism has great potential to grow and make much more for our country by harnessing technology. However, technology is a medium to reach its end; you need people to be able to operate the technology," he explained.
 
Tourism is currently Uganda's leading foreign exchange earner, bringing in in excess of $1.45b annually according to government estimates. 
 

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