People interested in doing business with Uganda have an opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives of the nation’s tourism industry when the group comes to Los Angeles Sept. 2 for a reception from 6-9 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton, 1985 E. Grand Ave., El Segundo.
The Africa Travel Association’s (ATA) Uganda Road Show will give attendees an opportunity to meet high-level Ugandan tourism delegates led by Minister Maria Mutagamba; learn about ATA’s 39th annual World Congress in Kampala Nov. 11-16, and network with fellow travel industry professionals. In each city, Brussels Airlines, official congress airline, will raffle off tickets to attend the congress.
The cost to attend is $20, and the deadline to reserve a space is Aug. 29. E-mail info@africatravelassociation.org or call (212) 447-1357. Include your title and company affiliation along with your RSVP.
According to Export.gov, in 2012 trade contributed 42 percent of Uganda’s gross domestic product. Major investments were made in construction, banking and financial services, telecommunications, and petroleum exploration.
Tourism also is a growing industry. In 2011, Uganda earned $805 million from 1.15 million visitors, up from $662 million earned in 2010 from 946,000 visitors. Tourism earned the country $834 million in 2012. Uganda boasts several notable tourist attractions including the Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, for game watching; the Rwenzori Mountains for mountaineering; the source of the Nile and the Nile River for bird watching, white water rafting and kayaking; Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks for mountain gorilla trekking; and Lake Victoria for a variety of water sports.
Uganda has established the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to reintroduce rhinos to Uganda’s protected areas.
Uganda is one of only three countries with mountain gorilla populations. Tourists who purchase passes can visit groups of habituated gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in western Uganda. The passes are a major source of revenue for the parks and for gorilla conservation efforts.
Improved transportation networks and upgraded tourist facilities would enable Uganda to take full advantage of this sector’s potential. Few local tour operators have the sophistication to tap into global tourism markets.
Among the opportunities available according to U.S. sources are the Uganda Wildlife Authority which periodically markets concessions for services at or near Ugandan national parks. There are also needs in such sub-sectors as tourism management; travel agencies; hotel design, construction and management; and marketing.
