- Renovation is intended to boost tourism
- Calls for the construction of the Bamasaba cultural center
- Recruitment of more tourism officers
Government has started rehabilitating all tourism centres across the country in a bid to boost tourism.This was revealed by Vivian Lyazi, the tourism manager at the ministry of Tourism Wildlife and antiquities while speaking exclusively after one day tourism seminar organised by Uganda Tourism Board at Mbale resort hotel located in Mbale city.
According to the Lyazi, government has started rehabilitating all tourism sites by constructing and refurbishing sanitary facilitates which have been dilapidated including recruiting more tourism guides.
He added that the covid19 outbreak had totally affected the industry negatively and currently were in need collective efforts from the media, stake holders and government in terms of advertisement to revive the industry since it's has been one of the biggest government revenue sources.
The chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board-UTB Hon. Daudi Migereko urged the government to market circumcision, athletics, and coffee among other unique activities practiced by people living near Mount Elgon, so as to increase tourism numbers.
He also noted that government could support Elgon region through the construction of the Mutoto cultural site to modern standards where the Bamasaba people, traditionally launch the annual circumcision festivities, setting up the high altitude athletics center in Kapchorwa as well to act as tourism sites.
Migereko also urged government to recruit tourism officers at all district levels across the county since majority are not having such staff members to help in boasting tourism at district levels.
However, Saleh Naminya, the public relations officer of Eastern entrepreneurship and tourism network who was the participant during the seminar says that low turn up of tourists in the country due to covid19 outbreak has greatly affected the industry.to the extent that they have had to lay off most of their staff due to low income generation.
Naminya also says that this has created unemployed in youths urging government to support private tourism centers with grants to revive their business.