Uganda should exploit the profits of domestic tourism
Dec 01, 2009
RECENTLY, a group of family and friends under My Uganda Forum, a social network group, decided to tour western Uganda as one of its annual family day events.
By Enoth Mbeine
RECENTLY, a group of family and friends under My Uganda Forum, a social network group, decided to tour western Uganda as one of its annual family day events.
The experience in planning and executing this trip, which was successful, highlighted a lot of gaps in Uganda’s quest to promote domestic tourism, which can be defined as ’people taking holidays in their own country.’
With Uganda having not escaped the effects of the global credit crunch, this has adversely affected the travel and tourism industry on which Uganda’s economy heavily depends. The travel and tourism sector accounts for about 25% of Uganda’s export earnings annually.
According to Euro-Monitor International’s Travel and Tourism in Uganda report, growth in foreign tourists was down to 8% in 2008 compared to 19% visitors in 2007.
Domestic tourism can play an important role in cushioning off the tourism industry during low periods of international tourist arrivals.
In Kenya, this type of tourism has become significant and many Kenyans with some disposable income are taking holidays within their country. In some cases, domestic tourists end up paying more than the international tourists for the same services. Foreign visitors are able to negotiate for special discounted packages.
The tourism sector in Uganda can only be sustained by a strong foundation on the domestic front. If a solid domestic tourism base is established, the adverse effects of the global financial crisis, frequent travel advisories from the overseas markets would not be damaging.
Before travelling to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we had inquired about a place where we could have lunch after the boat cruise and the staff highly recommended a restaurant.
I have not eaten such terrible food in a long time like I did at that restaurant in Queen Elizabeth. The Uganda Wildlife Association (UWA), needs to closely monitor places like restaurants and other service providers so that they maintain high quality services for both local and international tourists.
Although, the rest of the trip was a success, these nasty experiences left a lot to be desired and once again put the various stakeholders engaged in promoting the tourism sector in the spotlight.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), a government agency mandated to promote tourism in Uganda is not doing any better. They might blame their poor performance on the limted Government underfunding, but they require renewed momentum if they are to uplift this sector. The current leadership, under James Bahinguza at its helm, needs new innovative up-to-date ideas. New dynamic and aggressive “blood†is needed at UTB if we are going to revamp this sector.
There is big potential in domestic tourism and because of this, I suggest the following strategies to harness the opportunity:
Like what has been done in Kenya, UTB should also set up a domestic tourism desk to specifically promote this type of tourism. A website specifically addressing this type of tourism should be set up.
UTB, UWA and other stakeholders should design specific domestic tourism packages and help Ugandans access these products and also educate them on the local attractions available and other various products on offer. This can be done through constant product investigation and analysis leading to targeted promotions.
Aggressive promotion of the domestic sector is needed as many Ugandan’s disposable income increases. For example, a “discover your country†campaign could be launched in partnership with various corporate organisations and employer associations to target those Ugandans who would be interested in travelling on holiday around their country.
Organise regular domestic tourism exhibitions.
UTB, UWA and other tourism support agencies should negotiate with stakeholders to offer competitive service rates to the local residents. There should also be deliberate Government efforts to attract investment in budget facilities.
UTB, UWA and other sector players should also maintain a constant in and outflow of information and data pertaining to domestic tourism.
With a few of these ideas in promoting domestic tourism and many others from several sector players, the tourism industry will be offering new optimism which will go a long way in making our economy grow. It will also create more jobs and a steady growth of infrastructure.
The writer is the director and senior consultant Business Development Services, Uganda
RECENTLY, a group of family and friends under My Uganda Forum, a social network group, decided to tour western Uganda as one of its annual family day events.
The experience in planning and executing this trip, which was successful, highlighted a lot of gaps in Uganda’s quest to promote domestic tourism, which can be defined as ’people taking holidays in their own country.’
With Uganda having not escaped the effects of the global credit crunch, this has adversely affected the travel and tourism industry on which Uganda’s economy heavily depends. The travel and tourism sector accounts for about 25% of Uganda’s export earnings annually.
According to Euro-Monitor International’s Travel and Tourism in Uganda report, growth in foreign tourists was down to 8% in 2008 compared to 19% visitors in 2007.
Domestic tourism can play an important role in cushioning off the tourism industry during low periods of international tourist arrivals.
In Kenya, this type of tourism has become significant and many Kenyans with some disposable income are taking holidays within their country. In some cases, domestic tourists end up paying more than the international tourists for the same services. Foreign visitors are able to negotiate for special discounted packages.
The tourism sector in Uganda can only be sustained by a strong foundation on the domestic front. If a solid domestic tourism base is established, the adverse effects of the global financial crisis, frequent travel advisories from the overseas markets would not be damaging.
Before travelling to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we had inquired about a place where we could have lunch after the boat cruise and the staff highly recommended a restaurant.
I have not eaten such terrible food in a long time like I did at that restaurant in Queen Elizabeth. The Uganda Wildlife Association (UWA), needs to closely monitor places like restaurants and other service providers so that they maintain high quality services for both local and international tourists.
Although, the rest of the trip was a success, these nasty experiences left a lot to be desired and once again put the various stakeholders engaged in promoting the tourism sector in the spotlight.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), a government agency mandated to promote tourism in Uganda is not doing any better. They might blame their poor performance on the limted Government underfunding, but they require renewed momentum if they are to uplift this sector. The current leadership, under James Bahinguza at its helm, needs new innovative up-to-date ideas. New dynamic and aggressive “blood†is needed at UTB if we are going to revamp this sector.
There is big potential in domestic tourism and because of this, I suggest the following strategies to harness the opportunity:
With a few of these ideas in promoting domestic tourism and many others from several sector players, the tourism industry will be offering new optimism which will go a long way in making our economy grow. It will also create more jobs and a steady growth of infrastructure.
The writer is the director and senior consultant Business Development Services, Uganda