A mother gorilla takes
time off to play with its young. File Photo
In the year 1907, Winston Churchill baptised this place the
“Pearl of Africa” –he believed Uganda was the best place in Africa, and rightly
so. After 105 years, one of the world’s leading travel magazines Lonely Planet
confirmed what the pioneering British tourist saw decades ago by declaring Uganda
as the world’s Best Tourist Destination for 2012.
It is even more puzzling to imagine the
small numbers of Ugandans who tour this God-given treasure trove – a
destination regarded by many outsiders as a must-go.
Last year, the ratio of Ugandans going to Kenya for holiday compared to those who travelled within was around 8:1 – most of them went to Mombasa. In fact, Kenya received more tourists from Uganda than any other African country. This is simply because most African countries are now committing so much effort and budgetary allocations to promoting domestic tourism and the response is positive.
Last year, the ratio of Ugandans going to Kenya for holiday compared to those who travelled within was around 8:1 – most of them went to Mombasa. In fact, Kenya received more tourists from Uganda than any other African country. This is simply because most African countries are now committing so much effort and budgetary allocations to promoting domestic tourism and the response is positive.
Making the locals understand the beauty
of this country and grow a sense of adventure is proving to be a tall order for
the people responsible for marketing this country.
When Ugandans go out they find it hard to talk about the attractive places in their country – because they hardly know any. When a Ugandan gets a visitor from abroad and they ask where they can have fun they always suggest a nightclub.
When Ugandans go out they find it hard to talk about the attractive places in their country – because they hardly know any. When a Ugandan gets a visitor from abroad and they ask where they can have fun they always suggest a nightclub.
Uganda Tourism Board has tried on a small budget to market
tourism but they haven’t been loud enough to remind Ugandans to be tourists in
their own country. Consequently, would be domestic tourists are not aware of
the sheer beauty of this motherland, the fascinating wildlife, her rich culture
and heritage, the fantastic weather, and the warmth and hospitality of fellow
Ugandans.
The President of Uganda Tourism Association and managing
director for Great Lakes Safaris Mr Amos Wekesa points at a couple of impediments
facing domestic tourism including poor marketing of Uganda as a destination;
high travel rates, low awareness of the potential of tourism as a viable
economic sector, poor infrastructure, inadequate funding from government and
lack of skilled manpower.
“Our education system hasn’t given us a
chance to talk about Uganda,” says Wekesa. “Apart from our food which we have
no choice over, Ugandans don’t know anything else about this beautiful place
because no one is teaching them about it.”
UTB’s Executive Director Mr Cuthbert Baguma says one of the things affecting domestic tourism is the lack of exposure in the media.
UTB’s Executive Director Mr Cuthbert Baguma says one of the things affecting domestic tourism is the lack of exposure in the media.
“Visibility is very vital in this trade
and the key to visibility is that you must showcase but that is not happening
here,” added Baguma. “Plus, tour operators need to offer authentically
affordable packages that meet the needs of all potential local travellers
because a visit to a place goes beyond just the natural attractions.”
Wekesa also believes that tour operators scare off local travellers by charging a lot of money.
Wekesa also believes that tour operators scare off local travellers by charging a lot of money.
“Tour operators focus a lot on
foreigners but we need to find a way of encouraging domestic tourism by making
it affordable for the locals,” Wekesa says.
But when everything is said and done, Baguma believes that domestic tourism is growing.
“Apparently, domestic tourism is growing steadily,” said Baguma. “School children, corporates and families travel but maybe the mass culture of travelling is what is missing.”
But when everything is said and done, Baguma believes that domestic tourism is growing.
“Apparently, domestic tourism is growing steadily,” said Baguma. “School children, corporates and families travel but maybe the mass culture of travelling is what is missing.”
Uganda deserves the spotlight as each and every hamlet, village,
trading centre, town, district or region here has one unique tourism plant or
facility, whose potential is crying for exploration and development, which has
the potential to ensure an even development of the country and above all to
stop the rural-urban drift, in search of non-existing white collar jobs.
Tourism is the only area that brings in foreign exchange earning
without export and Uganda’s opportunity to use tourism as a major pillar for
its economic growth is realistic. Globally, tourism today, is the second
largest industry, which employs the most people and it is still growing. It is
the major foreign exchange earner of more than 60 countries.
In Uganda, tourism as a tool for poverty
alleviation is not in doubt. What is in doubt is the understanding of the
industry because not much by way of education as to what it is and is not is
brought home to the Ugandan society.
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the various gorilla families in uganda
Of the estimated 400 mountain gorillas
in Uganda, around 112 have been habituated and they belong to families. Like
humans, every member of the seven different families has got a role to play.
And, oh yes, these mountain gorillas also have names just like ours:
And, oh yes, these mountain gorillas also have names just like ours:
Bitukura Family
Mugisha, Ndahura, Kadogo, Rukumu, Karamuzi, Rukara, Obia, Kamunga, Betina, Ruhara, Twakire and Mubwindi.
Mugisha, Ndahura, Kadogo, Rukumu, Karamuzi, Rukara, Obia, Kamunga, Betina, Ruhara, Twakire and Mubwindi.
By Bruce Amp