| Dear Reader,
Dear Reader,
We are in the last quarter of this year, it has so far been a great year for us not only because we have been able to meet our goals but also because you, our readers, are appreciating and recognizing our efforts. Recognized for the work well done is incredible, it is an encouragement for an organization like UCOTA which started not with a goal to be acknowledged or awarded but with a mission to improve livelihoods through sustainable tourism. It is humbling that you are proud of us and celebrating our achievements, we truly appreciate this.As we take on our last quarter’s activities of this year, we the UCOTA fraternity are very grateful not only because we have been able to meet our goals but also because you, our readers, are appreciating and recognizing our efforts. Recognized for the work well done is incredible, it is an encouragement for an organization like UCOTA which started not with a goal to be acknowledged or awarded but with a mission to improve livelihoods through sustainable tourism. It is humbling that you are proud of us and celebrating our achievements, we truly appreciate this.
UCOTA values the interests, and shares the concerns, of individuals and organizations in tourism sector, you have a key role to play in assisting us to benefit you through our monthly Newsletter, and your feedback is therefore appreciated. Thank you for your continuous readership and your support by sharing this article with others as you help us make a difference by keeping others informed about tourism.
Enjoy!
UCOTA News:
- Sustainability Leaders Awards – UCOTA has adopted and customized the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria; a rating system for eco-tourism lodgings, hoteliers, camps, and Tour Operators based on three factors: Environmental protection, Fostering social economic well-being and Preservation of local culture. Tourism has the potential to preserve or destroy the environment and culture of our Nation. As UCOTA, we wish to contribute to environmental conservation and to sustain the local culture and economy. We request all those who wish to participate in this prestigious award to kindly give us 3minutes of their time to fill a ONE page sustainable tourism survey which is the basis for the next event where you might win yourself an award for the sustainability leaders in tourism 2013. Click here to fill, thank you.
- Community Tourism Earnings – The tourism sector annual performance report FY 2012/ 2013 by Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities showed the income earned through tourism by community member groups of UCOTA increasing which is a positive sign towards achieving our mission.
- Purongo Sub County Community Based Tourism Initiative – This sub county has 5 parishes of which 4 share boarder with the Murchison Falls National Park. In these Parishes, community/UWA land conflicts and poaching are rampant. With the aim to minimize these wrangles and create community positive attitude towards the park, the Sub County and community leadership initiated a meeting which UCOTA attended to pave way for the Purongo Subcounty Community Based Tourism Initiative to enhance community benefit from tourism. Read more
Uganda Tourism Industry News:
- Uganda to be launched as prime tourist destination: The launch of Uganda as a prime tourist destination kicked off on Monday in high gear with hundreds flocking Boma grounds in Fort Portal; ahead of the World Tourism day on Friday. Read more
- The Rothschild Giraffe: What a spectacle! Of the nine species of giraffe spread across Africa totalling a measly 80,000, the Rothschild’s giraffe is native to Uganda and the only species that is still surviving in their natural habitat. Read more
- Water Protection Key for Tourism Growth – Museveni: Celebrating World Tourism Day at Boma grounds in Fort Portal on Friday, the president, in a speech read on his behalf by defense minister Muruli Mukasa, said tourism is an exciting activity that arouses interest in everyone because its entails exploring new frontiers. Read more
- UGANDA’S HIDDEN TOURISM SECRETS – UNVEILED ON WORLD TOURISM DAY: Its Travel Guide chapter provides frequently updated tourist information and is full of suggestions and ideas aimed at helping visitors enjoy a more rewarding experience. Read more
- Conservationists step up efforts to stop encroachers: I have never been threatened with eviction although I know I am in a forest reserve,” Bagire, a father of seven and a resident of Busanga village, says. Read more
- Army passes out first ranger intelligence force: The development is aimed at boosting surveillance and crack ing down on poaching, a practice threatening Uganda’s wildlife. Read more
- British Airways to increase Uganda frequencies: The new Uganda schedule will see flights depart Terminal 5 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:20 and arrive in Entebbe at 22:50 the same day. The return flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays will depart Entebbe at 01:00 and arrive at Terminal 5 at 07:50, which will give customers a full day in London or plenty of time to make connections to other flights. Read more
- Uganda at (nearly) 51 celebrates the UNWTO World Tourism Day in style: It has been a tradition in Uganda to celebrate the World Tourism Day in different locations, every alternate year moving out of the capital Kampala and showcasing the Pearl of Africa’s tourism attractions to the locals and foreign visitors alike. Read more
- UWA dismisses reports of spending Shs10b on online gorilla permits: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has refuted allegations that it has spent Shs10 billion to buy hardware to sell gorilla permits online. Read more
- Government orders inquiry into online gorilla permits: Tourism minister Maria Mutagamba has instituted a commission of inquiry into the ongoing impasse between tour operators and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) over the online sale of gorilla permits. Read more
- Uganda to showcase at Danish meeting: Uganda is to showcase its trade, tourism and agri-business opportunities in Denmark at a business forum aimed at attracting new investments into the country. Read more
- Why damming Isimba Falls will destroy tourism on R. Nile: Six years down the road, with the Bujagali dam completed and a sustainable management plan for Kalagala Offset developed and in place, a project has been approved that could erode all the efforts to preserve Kalagala falls and its associated natural features and attractions. Read more
- Miss Tourism Uganda contestants unveiled: They will embark on the road to tourist sites around the country in the next 12 days in a bid to showcase sites which will attract tourists. But it will not be a trip for fun alone as some contestants will get to know their fate of staying in the competition at those sites.Read more
- BRUSSELS AIRLINES CHANGES TRAFFIC DAYS FOR WINTER SCHEDULE:Brussels Airlines announced changed traffic days to their flights from the European capital to Entebbe, via Kigali, for their winter schedule which will come into effect on the 29th October. Read more
- KENYA’S ANNUAL TOURISM REPORT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS: When tourism cabinet secretary Phyllis Kandie announced the details of the 2012/13 annual tourism report, for the period of July 2012 to June 2013 (Kenya’s financial year), the data gave cause for more questions than it provided answers for, as far as senior stakeholders in the tourism industry are concerned. Read more
- Hoteliers, guards to undergo counter-terrorism training: This follows the terror attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya last Saturday in which 69 people died and over 170 others injured. Read more
- Tourism stakeholders in Uganda ‘hugely disappointed’ over VAT decision:Leading tourism stakeholders, as was reported here at the time, had attempted to engage the respective parliamentary committees on tourism and budget but it is now clear that inspite of assurances by members of these committees to make appropriate recommendations to the plenary the tax burden was ultimately retained. Read more·
- Emirates does it again: Emirates has changed the way people travel in Eastern Africa, where the airline now connects Nairobi and Dar es Salaam double daily while Entebbe and Addis Ababa are served once a day, all with wide body aircraft. Read more
Recommended Reading:·
- Kenya hosts 16th global tourism conference: And although the Westgate attack has left the world shaken, attendance at the conference is at maximum capacity, and the government says more guests are still expected. Read more
- Tisai, the virgin tourist destination with no social amenities: “The island is ideal for eco-tourism but lacking in good infrastructure,” Okuta said adding that the island is able to offer a variety of tourism interests including boat rides, birding, fishing and shoebill trekking. But all these have never been tapped, and with the serious lack of amenities, disease is rife, as Ejomu points out. Read more
- Tourism in limbo as key agencies lack board directors after new law: The parastatals include Kenya Tourism Board — charged with marketing the country as a tourist destination — and Kenya Tourism Development Corporation — mandated to extend investment financing for the toursim industry. The Act also provides for the establishment of new bodies to regulate and develop the sector. Read more
- The Case For A Total Overhaul Of Kenya’s Tourism And Wildlife Conservation Policies: Even what seem like tough-minded proposals such as the demand for mandatory jail sentences and longer periods of incarceration for those found to be involved in poaching, are really just pathetic substitutes for effective policy.Read more
- Rwandair rocks juba market with special launch fares: RwandAir’s Head of Corporate Communications Robert Nsinga availed this correspondent the details of the special offers, which allow travelers from Juba, while connecting via Kigali, to fly to South and West Africa for 399 US Dollars, return airfare and all taxes included, while a range of East African destinations is on sale for just 199 US Dollars, again return and all taxes included. Read more
- Now Rwanda eyes golfing with planned resort near Kibuye: Plans to build a major golf resort in the Kivu ‘zone’, an area earmarked by Rwanda’s tourism planners at the Rwanda Development Board, have become known, adding a further attraction to this scenic part of Rwanda, already known through the Congo Nile Trail which spans from Cyangugu via Kibuye to Gisenyi, today known as Rusizi, Karongi and Rubavu respectively. Read more
- Tanzania marks World Tourism Day on the shores of Lake Victoria: Lake Victoria covers an area of 68,800 kilometers (26,600 sq. mi.) and stands as Africa’s largest inland water body and the world’s second largest freshwater lake. Read more
- EcoTourism Kenya names winners of the 2013 Eco Warrior Awards: At the opening of the Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference in Nairobi did the Eco Tourism Society use the opportunity to reveal the names of the nominees and eventual winners for the various categories the organization recognizes year after year. Read more·
- Tanzania tourism partners rolls out global marketing strategy: Through private and public partnership initiatives, Tanzania tourism stakeholders have rolled out its International Tourism Marketing Strategy to the eyes of diplomats from key tourist markets which this country has been targeting. Read more
- At United Nations and Clinton Global Initiative, leaders make commitments to stop wildlife crime: Over the past year, WWF has led a global campaign to stop wildlife crime by elevating the global response to the growing poaching crisis faced by elephants, rhinos and tigers, which also threatens front line rangers, national economies and regional security. On Sept. 26, thousands of miles from the nearest herd of wild elephants, in the jungle of New York City, several unprecedented commitments were made to change the trajectory at two high-level events. Read more·
- QATAR AIRWAYS RAISES BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE AS AIRLINES FIGHT FOR PASSENGERS: Economy passengers, according to a media release received yesterday, will now be able to pack 30 kilograms into their suitcases, up from previously 23, while those travelling in business class can pack 40 kilograms, up from previously 30. Read more
- The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) will mark its 25th anniversary with awards to 10 people who have contributed most to the cause of peace in the last century. Read more
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One Response
thanks for the up dates keep it up so that we are informed