Travel agents have asked the Government to rehabilitate upcountry aerodromes and revive internal commercial flights as a way of boosting tourism.
They made the appeal during their annual general meeting at Sheraton Hotel on Tuesday.
Speaking during the meeting, Pearl Hoareau Kakooza, the chairperson of the Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA) urged Uganda Airlines to consider investing in domestic flights.
“TUGATA, is pushing for domestic flights. Uganda Airlines has wet-leased a new aircraft to better sustain their intra-Africa growth, a very commendable move. We look forward to the day we shall see our crane take off and land in one of our aerodromes across the country. There remains a huge demand for domestic commercial flights,” she said during the TUGATA Convention and 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Sheraton on Tuesday.
In response, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Lt. Col. Tom Butime, said domestic commercial flights will greatly improve next year when Kabalega International Airport in Hoima district is completed.
“This matter of improving internal flights was discussed in Cabinet. The Government is committed to the development of the numerous airports to lower the cost of transport,” Butime said.
The construction works at the airport currently stand at 95% and crucial facilities such as the 3.5km runway, cargo terminal building, the limited-capacity passenger terminal building, the air rescue firefighting house and the air-ground lighting system have been completed.
The airport is expected to ease air transport once oil production in the Albertine region starts. The airport is also near tourism spots such as Budongo Forest, plus Kibale, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks.
Industry players speak
Irene Nanyombi, the vice-chairperson of TUGATA, urged travel agents to embrace technology if they are to thrive.
“There are so many players in the industry, but it is the travel agents who are always in touch with tourists. These agents have the power to influence if they are supported by the Government,” she said.
Lilly Ajarova the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) chief executive officer, said the industry needs goodwill ambassadors to grow to the next level.
“We must continuously talk about it and if we have some ambassadors, we will see a change,” she said.
Nicanor Sabula, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents, said companies running sustainability programmes receive incentives.
Nzaramba Jean Claude, the chairperson of the Rwanda Association of Travel Agencies, added that digitisation in Rwanda has taken root because of the government’s support.
“The government of Rwanda started digitising travel agents early. It is necessary to create awareness and the government is putting a lot of energy in supporting new technologies,” he said.
More Steps Needed in Innovation and Sustainability
In a related development, Enabel, a Belgian development agency, is partnering with UTB to promote responsible and sustainable tourism. This collaboration was announced on May 21, 2024, at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
According to Ajarova, such partnerships are crucial for attracting more tourists, creating over 660,000 jobs, drawing more investors, and ensuring that local communities benefit from the recovering tourism industry, which was severely impacted by COVID-19.
“Tourism has the potential to help Uganda achieve some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and fulfil the National Resistance Movement manifesto for accelerating development. Responsible tourism starts with individual responsibility, such as avoiding plastics and other harmful materials, conserving fuel, saving water, and not littering,” Ajarova said.
Tom Vanneste, the Enabel country representative, said the agency is collaborating with UTB, the ICT ministry and other partners on the Digital Uganda Vision, an initiative aimed at empowering citizens through digital innovation.