Archive for the ‘blog’ Category
A DECLINE IN UGANDA’S TOURISM SECTOR
Monday, August 15th, 2011 Uganda Tour operators have condemned the planned resumption of the walk-to-work campaign thinking that it will hurt the tourism industry and the country’s economy.
The operators under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) say that the industry and the economy had taken a huge knock from the April–May protests that were characterised by violence.
Tourism in Uganda takes the second position in the country’s foreign exchange earner. Any resumption of the protests is likely to hurt the industry and consequently the national economy. Whatever happens affects both the industry and the economy negatively. Something must be done.
Uganda Tour operators asked the Government of Uganda and opposition leaders to resolve the matter amicably. These disruptions would hit the economy given the losses suffered by the tourism and hotel industry in the previous protests.
In the last protests, the tourism industry lost about 30% (about $340,000) of the Uganda safari bookings, while the hotel industry lost 70% of its booking. If this happens again, the economy will suffer. We condemn the walk-to-work protests
the tour operators disclosed that some of them have had to refund advance payments by tourists who were forced to call off their trips following the earlier protests.
Opposition parties last week announced that they would resume the walk-to-work campaign in protest of the soaring cost commodity prices.
Kampala courts have dismissed several cases against party leaders in connection with the May protests.
The tour operators also blamed the Government’s violent reaction to the protesters.
They argued that though the current economic situation was largely due to the global economic crisis, it was partly so because of the after effects of the protests.
The operators under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) say that the industry and the economy had taken a huge knock from the April–May protests that were characterised by violence.
Tourism in Uganda takes the second position in the country’s foreign exchange earner. Any resumption of the protests is likely to hurt the industry and consequently the national economy. Whatever happens affects both the industry and the economy negatively. Something must be done.
Uganda Tour operators asked the Government of Uganda and opposition leaders to resolve the matter amicably. These disruptions would hit the economy given the losses suffered by the tourism and hotel industry in the previous protests.
In the last protests, the tourism industry lost about 30% (about $340,000) of the Uganda safari bookings, while the hotel industry lost 70% of its booking. If this happens again, the economy will suffer. We condemn the walk-to-work protests
the tour operators disclosed that some of them have had to refund advance payments by tourists who were forced to call off their trips following the earlier protests.
Opposition parties last week announced that they would resume the walk-to-work campaign in protest of the soaring cost commodity prices.
Kampala courts have dismissed several cases against party leaders in connection with the May protests.
The tour operators also blamed the Government’s violent reaction to the protesters.
They argued that though the current economic situation was largely due to the global economic crisis, it was partly so because of the after effects of the protests.
Gorilla tracking fees lowered for peak seasons
Friday, May 20th, 2011 THE The Uganda Wild life Authority (UWA) has slashed fees for gorilla tracking permits by about 60% to both locals and foreigners.
UWA executive director, Dr. Andrew Seguya, announced on Tuesday in Kampala that the fee for East Africans – Ugandan trackers inclusive will be Ush.100,000/= from Ush 250,000, US$250 from US$475 for Foreign Residents and US$350 from US$500 for Foreign Non residents.
These promotional rates are applicable only for the low months of March, April, May, October and November. For the peak months rates will remain Ush 250,000, US$475 and US$500 respectively.
This, he explained is meant to attract more tourists to Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and other tourism sites in the country. It is now on record that Gorilla trekking provides over 50% of tourism revenue for Uganda.
From a recent census, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park now has a total of about 32 gorilla groups. Of the 32 groups, nine are habituated of which eight are utilized for tourism while one is used for research. The total number of gorillas in Bwindi is about 340 which is almost over half of the estimated 720 Mountain gorillas in the world.
UWA executive director, Dr. Andrew Seguya, announced on Tuesday in Kampala that the fee for East Africans – Ugandan trackers inclusive will be Ush.100,000/= from Ush 250,000, US$250 from US$475 for Foreign Residents and US$350 from US$500 for Foreign Non residents.
These promotional rates are applicable only for the low months of March, April, May, October and November. For the peak months rates will remain Ush 250,000, US$475 and US$500 respectively.
This, he explained is meant to attract more tourists to Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and other tourism sites in the country. It is now on record that Gorilla trekking provides over 50% of tourism revenue for Uganda.
From a recent census, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park now has a total of about 32 gorilla groups. Of the 32 groups, nine are habituated of which eight are utilized for tourism while one is used for research. The total number of gorillas in Bwindi is about 340 which is almost over half of the estimated 720 Mountain gorillas in the world.
