The most beautiful Africa country as per its name ‘The Pearl of Africa” Uganda is ready to develop and improve all aspects which promote tourism –infrastructures, marketing and adjusting taxation policies to fit market demands. The country has put more emphasis on tourism marketing of the country’s main attractions the Uganda national parks and other attractions especially the mountain gorillas in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national park.
Uganda is looking at positioning itself to become the leading tourism destination in East Africa and later Africa alone. All tourism bodies have teamed to fight a particular cause “marketing” in order to be recognized in the tourism industry worldwide. Bodies include Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Tourism Board, Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Uganda Museum.
Currently Uganda gets around 70,000 foreign visitors in our national parks compared to Kenya’s 2.4 million and Tanzania’s 760,000 annually which is to low compared to others. Still according to 2013 airport arrival records Entebbe International Airport had 1.3 million arrivals, Jomo Kenyatta International airport had 6.5 million arrivals compared to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which had 4 million which still don’t impress. The low performance has made the country to build a strong working strategy as a country starting with an increase on the tourism marketing budget campaigns annually.
Also internal sensitization to locals and the young generation so that they can understands their country well and what it has to offer when it comes tours, travel and adventure hence becoming visitors to several tourism sites and destinations within the country. Other countries have done well in integrating sectors into tourism. Look at sports in other countries it is a serious contributor to some countries, tourism revenues. Countries in Europe are able to determine people’s interests and they make them revenue earners.
However Uganda has great tour deals including discount gorilla safaris starting with its lovely weather, green environment, calm political climate, unique attractions, wildlife, lakes & Rivers, Islands to mention but a few which attract thousands every year though. Mountain Gorillas are the main attraction in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where ten gorilla families are habituated for the tourist visits every day followed by chimpanzee trekking in either Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park.
