Each year,
Uganda joins the rest of the world on 27th September to commemorate
World Tourism Day. This year’s event will be hosted in Jinja where key players
will reflect on the significances and benefits of tourism sector. It is
promoted each year by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Worldwide, the tourism
sector features the third biggest export after the chemicals and fuels. In Uganda
alone, it generated about $1.4 billion in 2016/2017 and also features as one of
the major areas with many job opportunities and accounts for about a million
people that are employed in tourism related enterprises.
This year’s
celebrations in Uganda will be conducted based on the theme ‘Tourism and the
Digital Transformation’. This also comes with a line-up of activities that
stated from 6th till 27th September. This is aimed at
creating awareness, promote tourism and build capacity among stakeholders. The
event commenced with Uganda Hotels and Restaurant Expo from sixth to eighth at
Hotel Africana and the other events that followed include tourism forums and
workshops, Sport gala and diner, smart youth conference, Tulambule Busoga
region-an initiative that is aimed at promoting domestic tourism, cultural and
trade exhibition, tourism night and others. This event is organized by the
Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda
Wildlife Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda Wildlife Education Center,
private sector apex body, Hotel and Tourism Training Institute and Uganda
Tourism Association.
Jinja itself
features a number of tourist attractions and it is a popular adrenaline
adventure capital in East Africa. It is famous for its breathtaking adventure experiences
such as bungee jumping one of a few adventures that offer you opportunity to
kiss the waters of the mighty source of the Nile, white water rafting, jet boat
adventures up the River Nile rapids, kayaking, horseback riding, boat
rides/cruise, quad bike tours, sunset cruise, houseboat safaris on Lake
Victoria and many others. Along the way, you will be amazed by the stunning
landscape, extensive sugarcane plantations and remarkably, pay a visit to
Mabira forest and explore most of its primates, birds and plant life and then
continue for your lifetime adventure experiences at the Source of the Nile in
Jinja.
In conclusion, World
Tourism Day is a global event and it is one of great significance for particular tourism destinations to
discuss and recognize the importance of the tourism sector. Jinja in particular
is one of Uganda’s most endowed tourism destination of its own. If you are
adventure or nature lover, it is a right place for you to visit.
