Uganda marks World Tourism Day in Fort Portal

WORLD TOURISM DAY

Tourism actors in Uganda gathered in Fort Portal Tourism city on Sunday to celebrate World Tourism Day, which is celebrated every September 27.

This year's celebration was themed "Tourism and Rural Development", with the national focus on fostering awareness of the unique tourism opportunities available in the different parts of Uganda.

The king of Toro, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, presided over the event as the chief guest.

In line with the health ministry-instituted standard operating procedures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus,only a few people were invited for the event that took place at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal.

"This year marks the silver jubilee celebration of the reign of King Oyo of Toro Kingdom. This is part of the motivation that persuaded us to celebrate the event in Fort Portal and also recognize the new status of Fort Portal as a tourism city," said tourism and antiquities minister Tom Butime.

"We are celebrating our own attractions and calling upon Ugandans to travel and experience the pearl of Africa," he added.

Toro Kingdom tourism minister Joan Kantu said the monarchy is endowed with good weather, food, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, hospitable people, national parks, among other things.

"Make people appreciate the culture we have to offer more than the wild animals and nature. Involve rural communities in appreciating our culture," she urged.

Kantu also said that education at grassroots must prepare for this.

"We need an industrial institute of our own in this kingdom. Save our water bodies and have a school of excellence in hospitality management to equip our youth."

Herbert Byaruhanga, the vice-chairman of Uganda Tourism Association, called for repackaging of tourism programmes to attract more visitors in this region.

"We need to make sure that people who work in this area as guides are qualified and well trained," he said, adding that there should also be annual events like festivals held in Fort Portal to attract more visitors.

"We would like to have an event of the kings of Uganda and those in other countries coming here. We want to we see all of them come here and drive the numbers of visitors," said Byaruhanga.

He promised to have the Africa birding event held in Fort Portal.

During Sunday's event, demos of the traditional ways of making tonto (a traditional fermented beverage), grinding millet on a grinding stone, pounding gnuts using a mortar and pestle were all on display.

Tourism is a key sector for the Uganda's economy, accounting for 18% of the East African nation's gross domestic product in 2019.