Develop tourism to create jobs - experts

What you need to know:

Figures. There are 1.5 million tourists that come to Uganda annually; an industry contributing 10 per cent to the GDP.

Kampala.

Government and the private sector have been urged to come together and invest heavily in tourism because the sector offers big potential in reducing unemployment that is impacting the country’s economic development.

The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today’s global economy.
Recent developments on the African continent show that tourism is increasingly attracting regional and international investment, and returns on investments in the sector remain among the highest in the world.

During a meeting on Strengthening Inclusive Business Ecosystems in Africa held in Kampala on Wednesday, a cross-section of government officials from 23 African countries, the private sector and development partners, revealed that tourism offers opportunities which can address not only a critical economic problem, but also the social problems associated with unemployment.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr Patrick Mugoya, said: “A well-developed tourism industry can help Uganda solve the problem of unemployment because the citizens can work in hotels, tourist attraction areas like games parks, and as tour guides/operators.”

He, however, said for the industry to develop to the desired level, there must be heavy investment by both the government and the private sector to put the necessary infrastructures that serve and meet the expectations of tourists.
“There is need for incentives to be provided to the private sector investing in the tourism industry because investment in the sector is expensive,” he said.

The World Bank revealed that tourism accounted directly or indirectly for one in every 20 jobs in sub-Saharan Africa in 2011, and is one of the few industries on the continent in which women are well represented as employees and managers.
In her address, the United Nations coordinator/UNDP resident representative in Uganda, Ms Rosa Malango, said Africa hosts seven of 10 fastest growing economies in the world.

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals have set a new scene for the way in which economic actors tackle key systemic barriers such as inequality, unsustainable consumption and production patterns. We have a new platform to address inadequate infrastructure, the lack of decent jobs and to transform our societies. Achieving these goals will not be simple or cheap,” Ms Malango said.

However, she said investment in this case isn’t just about finances but also the promotion of new technologies, business models, institutional mechanisms, legislation, regulation and policies that can dramatically accelerate progress towards sustainable development.
Ms Malango pointed out that inclusion encourages a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute actively to enhancing the quality of life and the efforts of government.
Tourism Minister Maria Mutagamba said in Africa, the income and opportunity divide is not only big but also widening at an alarming rate.

No efforts
According to Mr Patrick Bitature, the CEO Simba Group, growth of tourism industry has been by accident because there has never been deliberate efforts to develop the sector. He advised big businesses to work together to provide linkages.