UCOTA E-NEWSLETTER ~ NOVEMBER 2014

Greetings from Uganda Community Tourism Association,

It is yet another time when we bring you the interesting news of what has been happening in the tourism sector. You will all agree with me that this is an area that is growing very fast thus a lot of activities have been happening.

In this edition We bring you a summary of events that took place in the month of November 2014 and how they contribute to not only community tourism but tourism as whole in Uganda and world over.

Starting from the Africa Travel Association, lessons on sustainable tourism from South East of Sierra Leone, focus on Jinja Tourism City in Uganda and much is what you expect.

As time and demand for news widens, UCOTA E-newsletter will not only be focusing on activities by the organization alone, but will from time to time as well seek to promote key tourism ventures in Uganda.

Sit, relax and lets roll together.

Happy reading!

UCOTA News

FK Norway project midterm review
In the continued efforts to strengthen the ongoing exchange program between Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) and Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) that is funded by Fredskorpeset Norway, the organizations recently held a midterm review to evaluate and chat a way forward.

The review workshop that was attended by FK Norway, UCOTA, and KECOBAT officials’ was a step in the right direction in planning the future of the program as well as review what has been happening for the past fifteen months of the 3 year partnership agreement/ project and during the current exchange which kicked off in May of this year. Present also, were the current and previous participants of the program who had a chance of sharing their experience.

During the second day, presentation of the review was made by KECOBAT CEO Taiko Lemayian who led the team to the open discussion in the order of item by item. New insertions were proposed to add objectives and subsequent outcomes as additions to the three that were in the original agreement.Read more…

Tiwai Heritage Trail ~ A case of Responsible and Sustainable Tourism in South-East Sierra Leone

Just before the Ebola Virus, and the subsequent mass media coverage of the outbreak that took Sierra Leone off the travel itinerary of many a tourist, Ecotourism was developing fast. Many new interesting ideas and projects were appearing in different regions across ‘Sweet Salone’.

The peaceful Rogbonko retreat near Magburaka, Tribewanted Community-based tourism project on John Obey beach, Western Area Peninsula and Gola Forest National Park in the South-East are just a few examples that were affected.Read more…

Community Based Tourism Recognized During Africa Travel Association Congress

Tourism in Uganda was taken a notch higher during the recently concluded Africa Travel Association World 39th Congress which was held in Kampala in mid-November. This was a rare opportunity for the country since the hosting of the congress is highly competitive and based on bidding.

Community Based Tourism was among one of the ways and means of tourism that was promoted and was singled out as one of the approaches that promotes conservation as well as empowers local communities to earn income from tourism activities. Read more…

UCOTA Receives Computer Donation From Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities

Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) was among the organizations that were recently awarded with computer donations by Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

Speaking during the handover on 25th, November 2014, Honorable Maria Mutagamba the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities noted that the initiative was to empower institutions working closely with the ministry and support them to be able to undertake tourism ventures more effectively. “Tourism is a major foreign income earner in Uganda. Hence it is important to ensure that various stakeholders that are working in the industry are well equipped in order to ensure that information is documented and disseminated correctly and in a timely manner.” She said. Read more…

Alluring Destination Experience

Jinja ~ Where the Adrenaline Thrill awaits you

Adventure, thrill, fun, and adrenaline rush are some of the things that come in mind with the mention of Jinja Tourism City in Uganda. The town that is home to the source of the mighty River Nile is a fun filled place and acts as one of the most important tourism spots not only in Uganda or Africa but to the world as a whole.

Jinja lies in southeastern Uganda, approximately 54 miles (87 km), by road, east of Kampala. The town is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, near to the source of the River Nile. The nearby Owen Falls Dam regulates the flow of the White Nile and generates electricity. Read more…