WorldVentures to consider Ugandan destinations

UTB’s Stephen Asiimwe and Tourism state Minister Godfrey Kiwanda. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye.

What you need to know:

  • Brainchild: Ugandans can now access some of the most exclusive vacation destinations locally and internationally at subsidised prices due to WorldVentures’ influence on prices through bulk purchases.

It was glitz and aplomb, chorused by traditional entertainment, last Saturday at the Kampala Serena Hotel as WorldVentures - a direct seller of global travel and leisure club memberships - launched in Uganda.
An estimated 1,000 members attended the red carpet event where the Tourism minister, and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) used the opportunity to market the country’s tourism potential on behalf of Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, the intended guest of honour.
“Tourism is about experience,” said state minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda: “So anybody who comes to bring fun, to boost our economy, is our partner. Therefore, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I welcome WorldVentures to Uganda and assure you that we are fully with you.”
Destination Uganda
UTB executive director Stephen Asiimwe, implored WorldVentures to include more of Uganda’s attractions into their curated DreamTrips and excursions.
“I present to you a fantastic opportunity, a fantastic venture, a fantastic experience,” said Asiimwe, “This experience is called ‘Destination Uganda’.”
“Can you please put Mt Rwenzori in your itinerary… Mt Rwenzori because it is the third, fourth and fifth highest Mt range in Africa. “Put Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks because here we have the world’s largest concentration of mountain gorillas at only $600 (Shs2.1m), and we can talk about bringing that fee down.”
Uganda’s first ever DreamTrip involved trekking the gorillas in Bwindi in May and the next holiday at the same place later this year is sold out.
Impact on Africa
WorldVentures general manager for Africa, Kemble Morgan, broke down numbers for the company’s growth and impact in Africa as he welcomed Uganda to the journey.
“In 2016 alone WorldVentures displayed global revenue of $926m (Shs3.4 trillion), contributing (over time) $19.8b (Shs71 trillion) to the African market - positively affecting growth in the hotel, entertainment and retail sectors,” he said.
“In any given year WorldVentures offers more than 6000 DreamTrips for members to choose from to more than 90 countries, and 197 different trips are offered to African destinations alone. “As of January 2017, there are more than 20,000 DreamTrip members residing in Africa – a number we would like to see WorldVentures grow through their offices in Uganda.” Some thousands of Ugandans are already part of the lifestyle and travel club.
Kyle Lowe, WorldVentures Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development, echoed the company’s expansion drive as he welcomed Uganda as the 34th market since the company’s founding in 2005.