TOURISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO UGANDA’S GDP RISE TO 6.3 TRILLION SHILLINGS
(Posted 05th October 2015)
Recently published figures suggest that the contributions made by the tourism industry to the Ugandan GDP has risen from 2013 to 2014 by 0.8 trillion Uganda Shillings, reaching 6.3 trillion shillings overall.
This comes on the back of increased arrival numbers which for 2014 reached 1.266 million visitors, up from the previous year when the country received 1.206 million visitors. [Note visitors are not equated
with mainstream tourists]
In percentage terms has the sectoral contribution, inspite of being poorly facilitated , reached just under 10 percent of the country’s GDP, making it increasingly important vis a vis investments and job creation.
The Ministry of Tourism last month, coinciding with the World Tourism Day celebrations which this year took place in the northern Ugandan town of Lira, created tourism clusters to promote subregions to work together. Towards that end did the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, call upon local governments to set aside significant funding in their budgets for the promotion of tourism to their area but also to help clean up and maintain attractions of value for tourists, to persuade them come and visit, and of course spend their money.
Projections given for the year 2015 speak of a potential rise in arrivals and revenues of 8 percent, fuelled in part by the expected visit of Pope Francis in November, which is thought to already have a magnetic effect for the destination.
Tapping into specific niche markets, like pilgrimage and sports tourism – the opening of the new golf course at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort is seens as a catalyst to bring more golfers to Uganda – has widened the scope and allowed for product diversification away from the ‘just gorillas’ image Uganda courted for almost too long.
For more information about Destination Uganda click on www.visituganda.com or check out www.ugandawildlife.org
