WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020 – HELD AMID THE TOURISM INDUSTRY’S WORST EVER CRISIS
(Posted 27th September 2020)
Belgium has been a long time supporter for Uganda’s tourism and wildlife sectors, as has been Brussels Airlines and their predecessors SN Brussels and SABENA.
In 2020 were support efforts by the Belgian Embassy amplified when it took the lead for and on behalf of the European Union.
In a special message ahead of World Tourism Day 2020 did the Embassy write a message of support to the Ugandan tourism industry:
As World Tourism Day 2020 approaches, there is good news on all fronts for Uganda’s #tourism sector. The news of the imminent re-opening of Entebbe airport, the primary gateway into the Pearl of Africa for tourists, was followed by the announcement that #Uganda has just been awarded with Rebuilding Travel’s Safer Tourism’s Seal.
In today’s world, dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, both local citizens and visitors throughout the world demand safety and security implemented by well-trained professionals. Tourists understand the relationship between safety, security, reputation, economic viability, and #health. These five factors, when combined, are called tourism surety. Each of these factors is essential in being awarded a Safer Tourism Seal.
As you know, #Belgium has the honour to take the lead in the tourism sector in Uganda in 2020 – during a challenging period – on behalf of the #EU, together with our Dutch colleagues. This week our colleague Frédéric Lavis represented the Embassy at the E-conference on Domestic Tourism, organized by the Uganda Tourism Board. It gave a platform for various stakeholders to discuss, amongst other things, Uganda’s Tourism strategy.
Tourism will continue to be a pillar of Uganda’s economy, contributing massively to the country’s economic #development, something that many Belgian investors have already tapped into across a wide spectrum of services and locations. They have an active footprint in several hospitality facilities such as Nature lodges, restaurants, tour and travel agencies and not to forget Brussels Airlines, the key Belgian air link that flies in tourists from all over the globe.
Building on these close links with Belgium, we look forward to reviving the sector back to its best, by working in close cooperation with the Government of Uganda and with Ugandan and European private actors, in the weeks and months to come.
Diplomatie.Belgium
Brussels Airlines will resume an initial twice a week service between Brussels and Entebbe and back on the 03rd of October – both sectors flown non stop for the next few months – and again provide that crucial link from their global network to Uganda, facilitating travel on business and leisure.
