Government to build rest points to attract more tourists

The government has unveiled new plans to promote tourism in the country.

Tourism is one of the major revenue streams for the country although government has invested little in it.

In order to promote the sector, government has reportedly set aside a budget. The budget will be used to make Uganda even more attractive for tourists.

Uganda will construct international stopovers at different points where tourists can stop to rest as they continue with their tour of the country.

According to the State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, ‘’The stopovers are aimed at increasing comfort for the visitors as they move around the tourism areas.’’

According to the State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, ‘’The stopovers are aimed at increasing comfort for the visitors as they move around the tourism areas.’’

Kiwanda also says that the stopovers will also be constructed on all border posts around the country.

Kiwanda explains that, ‘’With the stopovers, government wants to create makert for business people who deal in making art and crafts.’’

Government is also going to construct a training school for people who provide services to tourists.

Kiwanda says that the Uganda hotel training institute will help to prepare Ugandans to offer services to tourists from different cultures and countries.’’

Uganda hopes these improvements will attract up to four million visitors a year from different parts of the Uganda.

Minister Kiwanda downplays reports that tourists have started cancelling plans to visit Uganda because of increasing reports of human rights abuse in the country.

Kiwanda says, "It is normal for visitors to cancel bookings. Personally I cancelled my trip to Israel recently."

The executive director Uganda Wildlife Authority Samuel Mwanda does not deny some tourists have cancelled planned visits to Uganda. He, however, argues that the tourists cancelled due to booking schedule mix ups.

Kiwanda says the country will mark International Tourism Day held on September 27 in Jinja, Busoga region at Jinja municipal council.