While few industries were spared by the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry as fragile as it is, was
ripped into shreds.
From total lockdowns, border closure, to
bans of general transport and inter regional crossing among others, the travel
Industry in Uganda and world over indeed had to fall short. This has been
described as the greatest crisis it has ever faced ever.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Uganda's
travel industry (tours and travel) had continuous growth and had been the biggest
forex earner over the years.
Tourism was recently surpassed by Gold as
the pandemic broke out. In the past, there had been different crises such as
Ebola, terror attacks among others but all these were minor bumps on the road
compared to the COVID-19 pandemic for the travel sector.
According to local research, the revenues
from the tourism industry declined by 30% during to the covid-19 pandemic. This
greatly affected the economy of the country since the travel sector was the
major contributor to its development.
Many businesses connected to the industry
came to a standstill such as Uganda car hire services, tour and travel
operators, hotels and other accommodation facilities. There was a low visitor
turn up with several running on losses to an extent of tour companies selling
their assets to sustain the permanent employees and offices.
There is no other country more beautiful than Uganda:
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) January 24, 2022
📌Unique Terrain
📌Abundant vegetation
📌Temperate climate
📌Variety of wildlife
📌Strategic location on the Equator
📌The birthplace of humankind
📌Cultural diversity
📌Community tourism
📌Peace & Security #ExploreUganda pic.twitter.com/4X1GunUWZl
In anticipation, tourism experts do not
expect a full recovery until 2024 or later. On the contrary, there is a section
of stakeholders hoping for a fair 2022. With all these assumptions in place,
Uganda's travel industry is rising gradually and adapting to the situation.
Several measures have been aligned to support the travel sector.
The government's policies and interventions
around border restrictions and lifting travel restrictions as well as health
regulations are playing an important role in the recovery of the travel
industry.
During the second lockdown in 2021,
registered and licensed tourism vehicles were allowed to operate before full
opening of general transport. Foreign visitors driving in Uganda were allowed
to visit places they wished as long as they presented negative 72 hours PCR
tests on entry. Safety and prevention measures were set up before mass
vaccination campaigns followed.
Uganda Tourism Board aims to revitalise the
tourism sector for the future. They recently launched a rebranding campaign
with the tagline "Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa". This was to
improve Uganda's global reputation as one of the most endowed destinations and
promising tourists an adventure of a lifetime so they can stay longer like its
neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
For ages, promoting Uganda as a destination
meant leaning on the region's most predictable features -- the iconic mountain
gorillas, the source of the Nile and the big five. This is the objective the
campaign is trying to focus on to change Uganda's tourism outlook within
borders and beyond.
By mid- March 2022, safari tours are
steadily and quickly recovering. Compulsory arrival tests at the Airport were
scrapped off which was limiting many travellers from coming to Uganda. This is
part of traveller confidence restoration and with proper monitoring of Covid-19
measures, travel demand is being stimulated with safe and clean labels for the
sector.
Domestic tourism is being boosted by Uganda
Tourism Board. The emphasis on local based tourism through campaigns like
Tulambule has seen locals explore and enjoy their country.
Some tour operators have adapted to
investing in digital technology to extend serving to travellers wherever they
are, across the globe. Such digital platforms are also important in minimizing
physical interaction when traveling, whereas fulfilling travellers' needs. For
example, one of the Dutch owned tour company developed an app to facilitate
virtual Gorilla tracking where visitors has the feel of Bwindi Forest from the
comfort of their homes, Uganda's top travel destination.
When it comes to Self drive Uganda
experiences that were popular before the pandemic, they are also resuming
steadily. A number of travellers have embraced driving their own to explore
different natural places around the country.
For one to embark on a self-guided tour,
you just need to get car from Car hire Uganda. Go through a few formalities
like signing a car rental agreement, present a copy of your driver's license
and passport, make payment and hit the road. Self-guided adventures are much
more fun, flexible, and interactive and pocket friendly than guided safaris.
Lastly but not least as mentioned earlier,
the relaxation of government's policies and interventions around border restrictions,
travel is now possible between Uganda and Rwanda, travellers can cross from
Rwanda for tourism and vice versa. This has and will play a very vital role in
the recovery of the travel Industry in Uganda.