Uganda Ranks 5th At ITB Berlin Tourism Expo
A few days after the ITB Berlin tourism expo, Uganda the pearl of Africa comes out as the fifth best world exhibitor winning herself an African category award. This year, Uganda performed excellently (5th) compared to last year when the pearl of Africa came out as the 9th best exhibitor in the African category. Each year, Germany organizes the ITB tourism expo in berlin in which travel operators from the whole world exhibit different tourism products to boost tourism industry and generate increased revenue to respective countries. This year, the expo was for five days running from 7th -11th march 2018 and Ugandans
Displayed their travel products at the Uganda stand in hall 21A/121 which tourism products included mountain gorillas, culture, wildlife, mountains and birds among others.
The expo was officially opened by Dr Angela Merkel a Germany chancellor who revealed the need for sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation in all parts of the world. Similarly, the Germany chancellor exposed the problems associated with tourism over crowding as well as appreciating the benefits of tourism sector to the development of economies as well as improving the standards of living for the people. The exhibition was attended by over 10,000 travel operators from all over the world where as the number of viewers and potential travelers increased to over 109,000 hence a great hope for travel agencies assuring them of raised business. Different companies represented different business such as tourist boards, hotels, car rental companies, system providers and airlines among others. All the arrangements were done by students al the cologne business school in Berlin. The ranking of the best exhibitors was in different categories, which among others included service, design and originality among others.
This year, over 30 travel companies in Uganda in cooperation with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) a government body responsible for marketing and development of new tourism products in Uganda. Fortunately, Germany the host of the expo ranked 3rd best exhibitor which guarantee Uganda tour operators increased business. The ITB Berlin expo is one of the world’s four major international tourism expos which has supported Uganda tourism and is therefore one of the reasons for the success of tourism in Uganda. Also based
On the success and big turn up in the expo, UTB expect tourism deals worth shs3 billions following the weeklong stay in Berlin. Also, the expo was a platform for Uganda travel operators to meet and interact with other agencies from all over the world hence an opportunity for discussing best strategies of promoting tourism industry.
ITB Berlin is the leading business podium for global tourism, which guarantee travel agencies with over 90% business and effective delivery of excellent services.
At present, tourism has become a major source of revenue for the government of Uganda generating over 50% of the country’s total revenue. Also, tourism is a major source of income for the people of Uganda both directly and indirectly. The sector has employed may people to world as tour guides for gorilla tours and other wildlife safaris, hotel managers, porters, house keepers, waiters and waitresses, tour operators and travel consultants among others. This therefore makes tourism a source of livelihood for the people of Uganda earning them income to improve their standards of living. Tourism earns Uganda over 7 billion shillings to the total gross domestic product (GPD).
According to the Uganda tourism board, tourism has become Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earner edging foreign remittances a few years ago and contributing an excess of shs 7 billion to the gross domestic product of Uganda.
Whereas different countries were recognized for distinctive tourism products, Uganda the peal of Africa was highly recognized for its famous mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks and other wildlife, hospitable people and other attractions located in different parts of the country.
Conclusively therefore, the pearl of Africa offers it all to meet, satisfy and exceed all travelers expectations. Book a safari to Uganda for mountain gorilla safaris, game viewing, mountain climbing, cultural tours and bird watching rewarding you with a life tie experience.
