Making a case for domestic tourism

Ask how many Ugandans have visited a game park or been to the exalted Mountain Rwenzori and you will be in for a big surprise. The last time some of them saw a live wildlife was at the zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe) probably during school tours. But Uganda is rich with a diversity of wildlife in fauna, flora, and a rich climate that optimally presents the Pearl of Africa as an international prime tourism destination.
“It has been rather difficult for the industry in general to demystify tourism to Ugandans themselves,” a zealous James Tumusiime, the chairperson of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), said at the launch of this year’s Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo last Monday.

Promoting local tourism
Under the theme “Family And Travel”, UTB is looking to promote tourism within Ugandan home setting so as to better embrace international partnerships this industry is creating.
Recently, Uganda was pronounced the pristine tourism location for bird watching by the African Birding Club.
However, very few Ugandans take time to tour and explore these locations. Or like Stella Rugunda of Entebbe Tourism Council asks: “How many people have been to the airport?”
To bring flight services closer to the people, there shall be 45 minute flights over Kampala-Entebbe availed to families and individuals to experience the view of the nation aboard flights in partnership with civil aviation.

“A small fee shall be charged to cater for insurance and fuel in the range of 150,000 for families of four,” Rugunda said.
At any game park in the country, Ugandans are given a domestic rate to tour at only Shs15,000 per day. However, accommodation at these game parks is rather high for the average Ugandan. Rugunda, who runs Stebar Safaris, says “at Queen Elizabeth game park for instance, a double room is $280 (about Shs1m) per night, moreover without transportation...”

In Queen Elizabeth alone, there is a multitude of accommodation facilities whose rates are all in dollars.
At Ishasha Jungle Lodge, one has to part with $310 (about Shs1.1m) for a double room full board, with a single room full board going for $200 (about Shs700,000). Other lodges in the park include Jungle Lodges, Simba Safari Camp, Virina Garden Hotel and Uganda Jungle Lodges.
Constantino Tessarin, a treasurer at Association of Uganda Tour Operators, says during the expo, “hotels will have special rates in Uganda Shillings, discounted to encourage Ugandans to enjoy accommodation. They shall be different from visiting tourists’ rates.” This will have a trickledown effect in the tourism value chain, benefiting even tour operators from the discounted packages.

Uganda Wildlife Association’s Steven Masaba says Uganda has not been as active as other countries in the region. “Special rates to promote domestic tourism and enable Ugandans discover gems hidden within the country are underway,” he said.
He mentioned developments at Lake Mburo in Western Uganda, where giraffes have been added to the herd of zebras. Currently, one can enjoy tours either on road safari, aboard water, or Hot air balloons.

About the expo
The expo. The expo will take place from November 17 to November 20, at the Serena Hotel in Kampala. There shall be an exhibition showcasing Uganda as the top-notch tourism destination.
Activities. There will be familiarisation trips around the nation’s diverse beauty, set up of exhibition booths for nations and stakeholders showcasing their work.

Miss Tourism Pauline Akurut, along with the first and second runners up Karen Nyangan and Sheila Kirabo shall represent three regions of Teso, Karamoja and Ankole respectively. More stalls shall be set up to shelter other regions of the country, with each showcasing traditional cultures in dance, food and dress.
James Tumusiime, the chairperson of Uganda Tourism Board, said the expo is an opportunity for tourism operators to meet new clients and they are predetermined to hit international markets and make a better show than other states, including Malawi and Rwanda where they have attended expos.

Uganda has sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, ideal habitat for big game, 10 primate species including chimpanzees and more than 600 species of birds in just Queen Elizabeth. Live animal showcases shall flood the gardens of Serena hotel.
The Awards. The Tourism Excellence Awards slated for November 20 promise to be a rewarding experience for the private sector; those who have devoted to promoting the tourism sector. “We shall award Best Accommodation, Safari Guides, Travel Agencies, Cultural Tourism like Pakwach Women’s group but gauging on their contribution, how valuable is their resource center and media houses in print, broadcast and online” disclosed Edwin Muzahura, marketing Manager at UTB.