Uganda’s tourism industry is steadily improving in the number of tourists that visit the tourism agencies mainly domestic visitors.
This was revealed by the State Minister for Tourism Hon Martin Mugarra Bahinduka during the launch of World Tourism Day 2023 on Friday 25th August at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
According to Mugarra, all the tourism agencies have improved in their numbers of visitors including the Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre (UWCE) from around 380,000 in 2019 before Covid to 480,000 with an additional 100,000 visitors after Covid 19, the Uganda Museum before COVID-19 in 2019 had around 25,000 to 67,000 visitors after covid 19 and many others.
“Because of the Ugandans that have picked interest in travelling after the explore campaigns, all our tourism institutions have now improved in their numbers of visitors which is a plus for us and we will continue with these campaigns to make sure that we encourage fellow Ugandans to travel, “ he said.
He also called upon all Ugandans to go and experience what the all region of Bunyoro has to offer during the World Tourism Day celebrations in a way of seeing how much the government has invested not only in oil facilities but also other infrastructures as well as the culture and the tourist sites in the region.
The World Tourism Day that was launched will be celebrated in Hoima City on Wednesday 27th September 2023 under the theme; “Tourism and Green Investment” and it will involve various activities including the explore program moving around the Bunyoro region, school competitions talking about tourism, the mayor’s conference among others.
The Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Lilly Ajarova said World Tourism Day each year is celebrated in different parts of the country to provide an opportunity to travel to different parts of Uganda and experience different cultures, landscapes and tourist sites.
“It’s a great opportunity that this year we are going to Hoima city the oil city for a whole week to see the oil wells, Murchison fallFalls experience the Bunyoro culture among others,” she added.
Brian Kaboyo the Mayor of Hoima City appreciated the Ministry of Tourism for this great opportunity of hosting the World Tourism Day, saying that it will improve the region’s investments as well as promote the region to the world.
“Having an international day celebrated in my city gives us that mirage and at the same time we are launching the Hoima city carnival at the climax of the World Tourism Day which is going to be a yearly event, so we are looking forward to promoting the culture, tourism as well as business opportunities in the city and the entire region,” he added.
Stephen Sanyi Masaba the Director of Tourism and Business Development at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) encouraged Ugandans to go and explore the region’s attractions like the honeymoon track, Murchison Falls the strongest waterfalls, and culture among others while celebrating World Tourism Day in Hoima.
“We look forward to seeing you, I’m excited to be in the oil city and am happy to work with all partners,” he said.
The World Tourism Day celebrations will feature a lot of Ugandan artists and influencers including singer Pius Mayanja commonly known as Pallaso, Irene Ntale, Phina Mugerwa, and Golola Moses among others who have promised to deliver sleepless and enjoyable nights to the crew in Hoima city.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
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