Tourism becomes a household noun

PIC: Ekula awards are shaped in a gorilla form. (Credit: Titus Kakembo)

TOURISM

KAMPALA - The annual Ekula Tourism Award 2018 is proof that the industry is fast becoming a household name. This time round, the creative organisers had their accolades designed from attractions such as the gorillas, birds and Snowcaped Mountains. Everyone who matters in the industry attended the colourful occasion held March 29, at Pearl of Africa Hotel.

The industry's investor of the year was Meera Investments under which falls Speke Resort Munyonyo falls. It has since added 60 more suits to what makes destination Uganda a must for workshop organisers in the region.

"Munyonyo is a dream come true for any tourist in the EAC region," said state minister for tourism Geoffrey Kiwanda. "This is besides the; variety of cuisines, scenery of Lake Victoria hugging the sky, water sports, a rich history involving not only Kabaka Mwanga and the first Martyrs, but Idi Amin Dada."

During the event, Uganda Tourism Board chief executive officer Steven Asimwe said to boost tourism; the onus should be put on ensuring that tourists have a memorable experience from the time they land at Entebbe airport.

Sarah Kagingo being recongnised for her blogging in advancing the tourism sector. (Titus Kakembo)

"Karibu is our reception that sums up the hospitality," said Asimwe. Adding: "It is no surprise a trip to East African, without a Ugandan treat is considered incomplete. Variety is an understatement."

Igongo Cultural Centre on the Kampala/Mbarara highway could not be ignored as a must stopover for anybody with taste of good food, a love for history, books, culture and a health break.

The Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) Carnival was voted as the mother of all crowd pulling events of the year in the country. In the same league was the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the flagship of tourism, gorilla tracking, has its base.

In the east was Saleh Naminya, the brains behind baking the mouth-rioting rolex and brewing the sweet-scented coffee on that side of River Nile. Under his wings is Casa Lodge on Elgon Terrace in Mbale town and now has a branch at Sipi Falls.

Serena Hotel, Ethiopian Airways and the best blogger, Sarah Kagingo, could not be ignored for making destination Uganda preferred by travelers. The full list of achievers will be published in The New Vision leisure pages and Pearl of Africa magazine.