Uganda has just concluded the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) which attracted more than 150 exhibitors at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo. The Annual marketing event is one of the big events not to miss on the tourism calendar. The event happened last week from 24 April 2023 to 30 April 2023 and the major highlight was the new tourism initiative announcement that is aimed at boosting tourism in the country.
The initiative includes the expansion of airfields in Uganda’s national parks, a move that aims at improving the accessibility of tourist destinations.
The newly upgraded airfields; Kidepo, Pakuba, and Kisoro will be renovated to handle international flights.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, during the opening ceremony of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2023. The Minister stated that the expansion of the airfields will help to improve access to Uganda’s tourist sites, including national parks, game reserves, and cultural sites.
The Pakuba Airfield, located in the Murchison Falls National Park, will be expanded to accommodate larger aircraft. The Kisoro Airfield, which is close to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, will also be upgraded to handle international flights. Kidepo Airfield, located in the Kidepo Valley National Park, will be developed to provide better facilities for passengers and aircraft.
The Minister stated that the government has already allocated funds for the expansion of the airfields and that the project will be completed within the next two years. He added that the expansion of the airfields will not only improve access to Uganda’s tourist attractions but also create employment opportunities for local people.
The top brass of the Uganda Tourism Board, a body responsible for marking Uganda as a tourism destination, Lilly Ajarova, also said in a statement: “This year’s expo not only focuses to our recovery but also marks our willingness to host the tourism community once again. The expo has taken strides to become a monitor event for Uganda’s tourism. That way, Uganda will receive more travelers, and its associated benefits include increased tourism revenue and employment.”
She added that as a tourism board, Uganda will seek responsible and sustainable tourism.
“We will promote the use of recyclable materials, reduction of waste but also promote the conservation of the environment while respecting the host communities,” she said.
The initiative has been welcomed by stakeholders in the tourism industry who see it as a positive step towards boosting tourism in the country. Tour operators, hoteliers, and other players in the industry have expressed their support for the initiative, stating that it will help to attract more visitors to Uganda.
The tourists will be evading the cumbersome long-distance travel from Entebbe to the national parks which has been a great challenge on their safaris. When the various airfields in the national parks start hosting international flights, travelers will just step out of the plane and immediately start enjoying the wildlife and the breathtaking landscapes at leisure without any hassle.
Uganda is known for its diverse wildlife, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, lions, and other species. The country is also home to some of the most beautiful national parks and game reserves in Africa, including the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the Kidepo Valley National Park.
The expansion of the airfields will make it easier for tourists to access these attractions, thereby increasing the number of visitors to the country. This, in turn, will lead to the growth of Uganda’s tourism industry, which is a major source of revenue for the country.
It will also present similar opportunities like those in Entebbe that include but not limited; car Hire services, vibrant airport transfer businesses, more lodging opportunities among several other international airport related opportunities.
Entebbe is one of the places in Uganda whose population has largely benefited from the airport through airport transfers, lodging services and car rental services. Today there are several providers of tours and transportation services. There is a growing niche of travelers opting for Uganda car rental on either chauffeur or self-drive basis. There is hope that once international flights start booming in other locations, similar services will inevitably boom in the new areas.
In conclusion, the expansion of the airfields of Pakuba, Kisoro, and Kidepo to handle international flights is a positive development for the tourism industry in Uganda. The initiative will help to improve access to the country’s tourist attractions and create employment opportunities for local people. It is hoped that this move will attract more visitors to Uganda and lead to the growth of the tourism industry in the country.
