Tourism contribution to economy rises to Shs6b

KAMPALA. Uganda’s tourism sector contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the financial year 2014/15 increased to Shs6.3b up from Shs5.6b the previous year. GDP is the total value of goods and services produced within a country annually.
The performance is captured in the annual tourism sector performance review released in Kampala recently.
The growth translates into 9.9 per cent contribution to GDP (Shs96.7 trillion), up from 7.9 per cent in 2013/14.

The new figure is as a result of an increase of visitors (1,266, 046) who came to Uganda in 2014 up from 1,206,334 in the previous year, which ministry of Tourism officials attribute to better marketing of the country and improvement in infrastructure, among others.
The sector’s contribution to the economy was Shs5.6 trillion (7.9 per cent of GDP) in 2013 and rose to Shs6.4 trillion (9.9 per cent of GDP) in 2014
Additionally, the sector contributed 592,500 jobs up from 551,100 in 2013.

Call for government support
Talking about the report, Tourism minister Maria Mutagamba said Uganda’s beautiful flora and fauna has potential to turn around the economy if government continues to support the sector.
“I request local governments to have a budget for tourism activities and make a plan for it… this is bringing tourism on the round table,” she said, adding that the ministry is drawing up a plan to develop sites on River Nile and infrastructure in the Rwenzori sub-region, areas she said have beautiful sceneries to attract tourists.

Mr Stephen Asiimwe, the chief executive officer Uganda Tourism Board, said the board is looking at innovating and inventing more tourism products such that when visitors come, they are forced to spend more.
He was, however, of the view that government revives a national carrier, a move which he said would boost tourism in the country.
The tourism sector is forecast to grow by 8.0 per cent in 2015 and by 6.6 per cent per annum from 2015 to 2025.

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