Team one of the hosted buyers from the ASEAN countries during a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.PHOTO/ CAESAR ABANGIRAH
The government’s plan to leverage its foreign missions and embassies to market the country as a preferred tourism destination took a major boost following a successful two-week trip by a group of 28 tour operators and journalists from Asia across the country
“The aim of this familiarisation trip is a fantastic opportunity for our guests from the The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region to immerse themselves in the true essence of Uganda,” Moses Kalule Kasujja, the Minister Counsellor at the Uganda High Commission in Malaysia announced during an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park on November 26.
ASEAN is an inter-governmental international organisation, comprising Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia.
The trip - organised by the Uganda High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) - ended yesterday with a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary – located on Lake Victoria where they participates in the chimpanzee feeding experience as well as toured the facility.
Prior, for the first seven days, the team from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and divided into two groups toured Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Lake Mburo Nations parks among the various tourism attractions.
Here they trekked Gorrilas and Chimpanzees in Bwindi and Kibale Forest national parks respectively, enjoyed boat cruises,milked the Ankole long horned cattle at Emburara, among other activities.
On Thursday, Ms Betty Bigombe, the High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, said the visit was a starting point for strategic collaborations that will drive economic growth for both Uganda and ASEAN countries, adding that the event offers a unique opportunity for key players within the tourism sector and beyond to identify areas for strategic partnerships.
“Uganda has an attractive investment climate, which includes tax incentives, an enabling policy framework, and opportunities in key sectors such as infrastructure development, mineral value addition, agro-processing, and oil and gas,” she said during the business engagement withs with Uganda’s tourism industry stakeholders on Thursday, 5th December,
Ms Betty Bigome shares a light moment with some of the visitors. PHOTO/ CAESAR ABANGIRAH
According to Mr Kalule, also Deputy High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia this was one way of showcasing the country’s cultural richness, biodiversity and investment opportunities.
Joseph D.A Vu, the director of business strategy and external affairs under a company Bao Son Group, also Uganda's consulate in Vietnam implored the government of Uganda to standardise the locally-made crafts in order to suit international standards.
"The locals staying around protected areas ought to feel directly involved in the tourism taking place in such areas," he noted.
Vu, who also led a delegation of tour operators and journalists from Vietnam observed that poor internet connection is the biggest challenge affecting tourism across Uganda's protected areas- which are also the major tourism products for the country.
“Tourism is a low-hanging fruit for Uganda's economy. Therefore, it ought to be prioritised in terms of investment and development if the country is to reap big out of it,” Vu advised.
Upon return to their respective countries, the hosted buyers are expected to share their insights and experiences across various media platforms and travel agencies.
This, Mr Kalule says will market Uganda as a premier tourism destination.
“We are thrilled to host this esteemed group of tour operators and journalists from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, who play a crucial role in shaping travel trends and influencing tourist choices. Their firsthand experiences will help to create authentic narratives that highlight the beauty and diversity of our country,” UTB’s Simplicious Gessa said.
