In Uganda today, tourism is one of the leading factors in the economic development of the country as it bring in a lot of both foreign and local currency alongside employing its nationals, providing them with income and thus improving their standards of living. This can even be clarified from the different praises made by different honorable in regard to this similar issue such as;
Rugunda was quoted saying on a one Uganda Tourism Board, Tourism Excellence Awards Ceremony,; “Government is more than ready to give support/money to the sector because investing in tourism is a very profitable business for the country.”
In an interview with Rugunda, the current Ugandan vice president; the government doors are always open to tourism and once knocked; they can always open and gladly welcome it.
Ruganda also looks at tourism as a goldmine for Uganda which still needs serious exploitation since so much remains unturned in this sector today. He said “I believe Uganda is sitting on a goldmine whose potential has not yet been exploited to the limit. I want to salute you (key players in the sector) for opening this goldmine.
He further stated that Uganda is a naturally endowed country with so many natural resources which are yet unknown to the rest of the world due to lack of proper marketing programs in the country for these resources and suggested a country wide publicity and sensitization of these resources.
In his statement, Rugunda said, “Our duty is a collective one. Let us inform the world that Uganda has something substantial to offer to the world.”
James Tumusiime – The Chairman Uganda Tourism Board in his statement also requested the Ugandan Media to consider covering tourism aspects as well. He said, “I know it is the responsibility of the media to give people what they want to know like the current political campaigns but it is also your duty to give people what they ought to know like what is happening in tourism and business.”
James Tumusiime is also grateful to the Ugandan government for having
realized and recognized tourism as an important sector in the country’s economy in addition to coffee and even increased the budget on tourism over the years. Tumusiime further mentioned that the tourism sector has received money from the government from which the government expects big returns and so far, the tourism sector has proved capable from its increasing performance yearly and therefore it’s no doubt Ugandans can make it.
The Chairman Uganda Tourism Board noted that the Ugandan Tourism Sector earlier faced challenges due to the poor marketing means used like marketing in “kiosks”. And said but today that is all changed tourism marketing is now done in “supermarkets” and it’s expected to remove all the vegetative perceptions held on the tourism sector.
According to him, tourism is a clean and green business and therefore advised Ugandans to all participate in the country’s promotion and not leaving this issue to only those directly involved with the sectors like its employees etc.
From 17-19 November 2015, there was the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo hosted by Uganda Tourism board.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is an annual event in East Africa normally organized by The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Its main goal is to raising the profile of Destination Uganda domestically, regionally and internationally and so far has been done only two times. This Expo tends to bring together different tourism stakeholders and other important service providers within the tourism industry. At this Expo, tourism business operators usually get a chance to meet new clients, network, and even market their products at a wider market. There are about eight (8) African Regional Tourism boards, Travel agents, Tour operators, hoteliers, destination managers and other service providers along the tourism value chain and international press attended who were part of this year’s exhibition.
