TOURISM SECTOR IN UGANDA CONTINUES TO GROW
The tourism sector in Uganda has been growing lately, with the government
supporting tourism growth. Uganda’s beauty was recently advertised on CNN which cost $1 million.
Uganda boosts of tourism attractions like wildlife, including gorillas and chimpanzees, adventure tourism, like kayaking, mountaineering (Rwenzori mountain ranges ) and water rafting.
Tourism industry is being promoted by both the private and the public sectors through marketing their places in other countries (China is being looked at as a potential market for Uganda’s tourism sites) increase in Airlines, therefore increase in the number of tourists to the country and benefiting the tourism industry. (According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics, tourists coming into the country has increased from 192,790 in 2000 to 512,378 in 2004.)
The recent preparations for the hosting of the commonwealth meeting in 2007 (CHOGM) has led to the increase in number of hotels, which offers an opportunity and a challenge to the hotel sector and have attracted more tourists. As numbers go up, the demand also goes up.
Despite of some negative events late last year which affected the image of the country, tourism in Uganda continues to grow and benefit since the country offers exactly what the tourists are looking for like Adventure, good infrasture and comfort.