By Ritah Mukasa
One can now connect directly with clients and service providers through the Visit Uganda Tourism Forum (VUTF) which brings together all private and public players in the tourism sector.
You find different professionals, organizations and entrepreneurs who run businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cafes among others. They meet every month and network, and optimize business opportunities while marketing Uganda to the outside world.
While launching the forum recently, Vianney Lyazi, the commissioner for tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities called it a game changer.
He added that it is an opportunity for Ugandans from all walks of life to benefit from the fast-growing tourism sector. The opportunities are unlimited yet with some, you earn through your smartphone from the comfort of your home or office. There is something for everyone; Farmers, students, transporters, entrepreneurs, corporates plus Youtubers and bloggers.
The forum has partners including; Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Airlines, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Ministry of Tourism, Buganda and Toro kingdoms. Others are Footsteps Furniture, Meilin Hotel International, Roseform mattresses, Maganjo grain millers, Ivy motel and Victoria University among others.
A farmer can connect with all those businesses and organizations and market their produce. It’s also an opportunity to invest in the tourism sector. The forum also has representatives from around the world.
Lyazi says; nobody should be left behind, especially those who sell goods and services.
For instance, hotels are linked with transporters, furniture and mattress suppliers. Unscrupulous middlemen are eliminated. Also, catering and hospitality schools can use this forum to find intern placements for their students. The same applies to job seekers. They have access to government departments, organizations and companies.
What’s more, farmers can sell their produce to hotels and restaurants directly. The same applies to tour companies, entertainers, cleaners and different manufacturers.
Meanwhile, Charles Kasumba VUTF team leader says, the forum goes beyond Uganda. It has representatives in different countries around the world who promote Uganda and attract tourists.
“It took us three years to bring this forum to life. My team also has academicians led by Prof. Ndebesa Mwambutsya,” he says.
Kasumba says: “We shall be holding monthly meetings at Meilin hotel in Kampala. To join, you subscribe to the YouTube channel and we add you to the WhatsApp group.”
Godfrey Lule Semwanga from the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board urges Ugandans to join the forum saying, it has many opportunities for everyone. There are jobs for young people as well.
Meanwhile, data from the Tourism Satellite Account for Uganda (TSA) 2023, puts tourism among the largest sectors in the economy. It directly contributes about 3.64% of the GDP and employs close to 1.6 million people, 68% of whom are females.
With further reforms in the economy, including improved Infrastructure, the tourism sector is projected to rapidly grow.
