We need to do more to promote tourism
Mar 03, 2008
<b>Letter of the day</b><br><br>EDITOR — Tourism is not well understood by many Ugandans, largely because of our historical background. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the universe, faster than the oil and manufacturing industries. Uganda is endowed with vast attractions which have ma
Letter of the day
EDITOR — Tourism is not well understood by many Ugandans, largely because of our historical background. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the universe, faster than the oil and manufacturing industries. Uganda is endowed with vast attractions which have made it one of the top ten countries in terms of biodiversity.
Simply put, we have a wide variety of flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Uganda has 10.2% of the world’s bird species. There are more birds per square kilometre in Uganda, compared to any other country in Africa. Uganda also has the highest density of primate species, (gorillas, chimpanzees, olive baboons, to mention but a few) of any country. Kibaale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest have 16% of the polypore fungi recorded from North America and Europe. Other attractions include a large portion of Lake Victoria, mountains, diversity of culture, good weather and the River Nile, which provides some of the best rafting opportunities in the world. However, in comparison to many other countries, Uganda’s tourism industry is still in its infancy. The Government’s policies over the last 20 years to protect the environment and biodiversity and to ensure the safety of Ugandans and visitors have enabled the tourism industry to grow to a considerable level.
Uganda needs to follow the examples of other countries like Costa Rica. This third world country has a comprehensive and powerful framework designed to ensure sustainable use of its bio-diversity and effective engagement at local government and community level. This helps ensure that every citizen understands the importance of biodiversity and has a stake in sustaining it. In 2001, Costa Rica received over 1.1 million tourists, earning $1b in revenue. It has set itself as the world’s top eco-tourism destination.
Uganda, with its great bio-diversity and other superior natural endowments, currently raises just $320m annually. We (Uganda) could do a lot better if we borrow a leaf from Costa Rica.
In Uganda, the few safari operators doing good business are spending most of their income attending tourism fairs in Europe and America. They compete with agents whose countries have heavily invested millions of dollars in their tourism marketing programmes like Tanzania and Kenya, who spend over $7m each year. Even the most recent player, Rwanda, is doing better than us in promoting their tourism potential.
A hotel expert here intimated to me that most hotels, especially in Kampala, are mainly surviving on conferences to do with malaria, HIV/AIDS and the northern war. Soon, malaria and Kony will be history thanks to the Government’s efforts. Donors will channel their monies to countries that are deeply in need and that will mean closing of some of these hotels.
The only way of sustaining business for all tourism stakeholders is through a deliberate policy by the Government to market Uganda. This can be done through Tourism Uganda, which is, unfortunately, the most under-funded board. The Government should also work closely with the private sector. This will not only see growth in the tourism industry, but also see growth of quality investments. Quality investors first visit countries as tourists, then pick interest in investing in those countries.
All stakeholders should urge the Government to market Uganda as the other East African countries are doing.
Wekesa Amos Masaba
Vice-President Uganda Tourism Association
EDITOR — Tourism is not well understood by many Ugandans, largely because of our historical background. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the universe, faster than the oil and manufacturing industries. Uganda is endowed with vast attractions which have made it one of the top ten countries in terms of biodiversity.
Simply put, we have a wide variety of flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Uganda has 10.2% of the world’s bird species. There are more birds per square kilometre in Uganda, compared to any other country in Africa. Uganda also has the highest density of primate species, (gorillas, chimpanzees, olive baboons, to mention but a few) of any country. Kibaale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest have 16% of the polypore fungi recorded from North America and Europe. Other attractions include a large portion of Lake Victoria, mountains, diversity of culture, good weather and the River Nile, which provides some of the best rafting opportunities in the world. However, in comparison to many other countries, Uganda’s tourism industry is still in its infancy. The Government’s policies over the last 20 years to protect the environment and biodiversity and to ensure the safety of Ugandans and visitors have enabled the tourism industry to grow to a considerable level.
Uganda needs to follow the examples of other countries like Costa Rica. This third world country has a comprehensive and powerful framework designed to ensure sustainable use of its bio-diversity and effective engagement at local government and community level. This helps ensure that every citizen understands the importance of biodiversity and has a stake in sustaining it. In 2001, Costa Rica received over 1.1 million tourists, earning $1b in revenue. It has set itself as the world’s top eco-tourism destination.
Uganda, with its great bio-diversity and other superior natural endowments, currently raises just $320m annually. We (Uganda) could do a lot better if we borrow a leaf from Costa Rica.
In Uganda, the few safari operators doing good business are spending most of their income attending tourism fairs in Europe and America. They compete with agents whose countries have heavily invested millions of dollars in their tourism marketing programmes like Tanzania and Kenya, who spend over $7m each year. Even the most recent player, Rwanda, is doing better than us in promoting their tourism potential.
A hotel expert here intimated to me that most hotels, especially in Kampala, are mainly surviving on conferences to do with malaria, HIV/AIDS and the northern war. Soon, malaria and Kony will be history thanks to the Government’s efforts. Donors will channel their monies to countries that are deeply in need and that will mean closing of some of these hotels.
The only way of sustaining business for all tourism stakeholders is through a deliberate policy by the Government to market Uganda. This can be done through Tourism Uganda, which is, unfortunately, the most under-funded board. The Government should also work closely with the private sector. This will not only see growth in the tourism industry, but also see growth of quality investments. Quality investors first visit countries as tourists, then pick interest in investing in those countries.
All stakeholders should urge the Government to market Uganda as the other East African countries are doing.
Wekesa Amos Masaba
Vice-President Uganda Tourism Association