Ms Maria Mutagamba, the minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. She
said Uganda Tourism Association should be the sole source of data. FILE
Photo
By Abdulaziizi K. Tumusiime
In Summary
Tasked. Uganda Tourism Association asked to gather and release information.
Kampala.
The absence of standard information about the tourism industry in Uganda is frustrating progress, the Minister for Tourism has said.
Ms Maria Mutagamba stated last week in Kampala, that the different stakeholders in the industry publish contradicting information about the status of the sector consequently hampering efforts for effective planning.
The absence of standard information about the tourism industry in Uganda is frustrating progress, the Minister for Tourism has said.
Ms Maria Mutagamba stated last week in Kampala, that the different stakeholders in the industry publish contradicting information about the status of the sector consequently hampering efforts for effective planning.
Uganda Tourism Association role
“Not everyone should publish data about the number of tourists coming into the country or the amount earned annually. We will end up with lies,” she said.
“Not everyone should publish data about the number of tourists coming into the country or the amount earned annually. We will end up with lies,” she said.
“There is need for the Uganda Tourism Association
(UTA) to come up with a research desk which should be the sole source of
information about state of the country’s tourism industry,” she added.
Ms Mutagamba made the remarks at the launch of the
UTA Strategic Plan 2014 – 2019 where she was the guest of honour.
Funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project
seeks to mobilise the tourism business associations into a single unit
that collectively voices the interests of the private sector. The plan
analyses the state of the country’s tourism industry, devises means to
circumvent the challenges, and touches on the mechanisms of ensuring its
implementation.
Mr Herbert Byaruhanga, the UTA president said the
absence of a strategic plan, in the last 10 years, was a stumbling block
in the urge to focus on the issues affecting the industry.
While commending UTA on the project, UNDP Resident
Representative Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie said if properly structured,
tourism is a source of opportunities for economic growth, human
development and community transformation.
“According to research by the World Tourism Organisation, for every dollar spent by a tourist, four jobs are created in Uganda. Tourism has emerged as one of Uganda’s biggest exports bringing in nearly $1 billion (Shs2 trillion in 2013) in annual revenue,” she said.
“According to research by the World Tourism Organisation, for every dollar spent by a tourist, four jobs are created in Uganda. Tourism has emerged as one of Uganda’s biggest exports bringing in nearly $1 billion (Shs2 trillion in 2013) in annual revenue,” she said.
Ms Mutagamba said the Strategic Plan is a right step towards the realisation of the National Vision 2040.
The vision points to tourism as one of the
fundamental sectors that will steer Uganda towards socio-economic
transformation by the year 2040.
contribution to GDP
Tourism in Uganda is focused on the landscape and wildlife. It is a major driver of employment, investment and foreign exchange.
According to statistics, the industry contributed $979 million (about Shs2.5 trillion) to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.
Tourism in Uganda is focused on the landscape and wildlife. It is a major driver of employment, investment and foreign exchange.
According to statistics, the industry contributed $979 million (about Shs2.5 trillion) to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.
atumusiime@ug.nationmedia.com
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