At the Peal of Africa Tourism Expo, the Ugandan government announced that four airfields in some of the country’s most famous National Parks will soon be able to handle international visitors, marking a significant expansion of the country’s tourism industry.
After landing in a nation where elephants and antelope roam freely, tourists won’t have to worry about going through immigration and customs at Entebbe airport according to a statement made by the country’s minister of tourism, wildlife, and antiquities.
Four airstrips will be tarmacked and designated, and immigration stations will be set up in Kasese, Kidepo, Pakuba, and Kisoro National Parks, the Minister told delegates at the tourist expo held in Kampala.
Butiime called the development a “game changer,” claiming that it had been authorised by President Yoweri Museveni and communicated to the Cabinet. He said that this would allow wealthy travellers to take their private aircraft straight to these locations from Dubai or Frankfurt.
Prior to this, visitors to the places had to enter Uganda via Entebbe, near the capital Kampala, and then take a caravan aircraft or a road journey to go to the locations, because the only airstrips there were ‘bush’ airstrips.
After a precipitous drop in 2022 due to the Covid pandemic, Uganda saw a significant increase in 2023, and arrivals are projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. At the current rate of growth, tourism is responsible for 7.7 percent of GDP and 1.5 million annual visitors.
“This year’s expo not only points to our recovery but highlights to our readiness to host the tourism community once again,” said Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda tourist Board.
The exhibition has developed into a highlight of Uganda’s tourist industry. This will result in more tourists visiting Uganda, which will boost the economy and create more jobs.
According to her, Uganda is hoping to set a new standard for sustainable and ethical tourism. According to Ajarova, the World Tourism Organisation defines sustainable tourism as an approach to travel that fully considers the economic, social, and environmental implications of its operations in the here and now while also planning for the future.
“We will encourage recycling and waste reduction while simultaneously advocating for greater environmental protection and the well-being of local communities.”
Uganda is home to 10 different national parks, including the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda is home to many different ethnic groups, languages, and customs; it is also the place where the Nile, the world’s longest river, begins its journey to the Mediterranean.
