uganda tourism board

• Plan a Trip

Search form

Press releases, publications.

• Communities evicted in mines of rwamugota
• Publication two
• Publication one

Bids and Tenders

• Bids Tendering of items
• Request for Expressions of Interest for Provision of Consultancy

Find us on Facebook

Uganda Tourism Board

REGISTER TO GET UPDATES

Where to go.

• Kampala City
• Kasubi Royal Tombs
• Namugongo Matyrs Shrine
• Ssese Islands
• Uganda Wildlife Education Center
• Boat Cruise
• Chimp Tracking
• Cultural Tours - Central Uganda
• Cultural Tours - Western Uganda

What to see

• Acacia Nilotica
• Acacia Seyal
• Baikiaea Insignis
• Mabira Forest

UGANDA TOURISM BOARD Lugogo House, Plot 42 Lugogo Bypass P.O. Box 7211 Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 (0) 414 342 196/7 | Fax: +256 (0) 414 342 188

• Airlines And Charter
• Banking Services
• Entertainment
• Ministry of Tourism
• Tour Operators
• Uganda Investment Authority
• Uganda Wildlife
• Visit East Africa
• Destination Uganda
• Food in Uganda
• History Of Uganda
• How to get to uganda
• Journey Through Uganda
• Visa And Entry Requirements

Uganda Tourism Board

Uganda Tourism Board is the official statutory Government agency mandated with destination marketing and quality assurance of tourism facilities in Uganda. #UTB

• Featured Stories
• International

Uganda Tourism Board Partners with Emirates to Showcase Destination Uganda

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is delighted to announce its partnership with Emirates Airline. This collaboration aims to promote destination Uganda’s diverse tourism offerings to a global audience. The partnership marks significant steps in Uganda’s efforts to attract more visitors and showcase its rich cultural hertage, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse wildlife experiences.

As part of this partnership, Emirates Airline will feature promotional videos highlighting Uganda’s iconic tourist attractions and natural wonders in the cabin on the route between Entebbe and Dubai. This will offer passengers a glimpse into the beauty of the Pearl of Africa and inspire travelers to explore Uganda and experience its beauty first hand. The airline with UTB will organize familiarization (FAM) trips to Uganda for key tourism and media personnel, such as journalists and travel agents, tour operators, for the purpose of promoting tourism to Uganda.

Commenting on the partnership, Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer Uganda Tourism Board, expressed enthusiasm about showcasing Uganda in the Emirates networks across the globe. “We are delighted to collaborate with Emirates Airline to showcase the beauty and warmth of Uganda to travelers around the world. This partnership will play a crucial role in driving tourism growth and create opportunities for economic development in the country,” she noted.

In addition to the inflight promotion, Emirates Airline is to offer exclusive benefits to support tourism travel to the tourism sector. Passengers that include UTB staff, hoteliers, tour operators and media booking tourism related travel through Emirates will enjoy 10% discount on their fares, making it more accessible for travelers to embark on their Ugandan adventure. Hoteliers partnering with UTB will receive an extra baggage allowance of 10 kilograms per passenger, enabling them to transport essential supplies and amenities with ease. UTB staff members will also benefit from a special 20% discount on excess baggage to enhance their ability to improve and support Uganda’s tourism industry.

The Board Chairperson Pearl Kakooza was delighted with the development that enhances the publicity of Uganda’s tourism attractions. She noted that partnership was key in building viable synergies and a lot could be achieved by working together with sector players. She thanked Emirates for supplementing the efforts of Uganda Tourism Board to market Uganda in all its networks.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Uneb releases 2024 preliminary registration data: 1.3 million candidates registered, 6% increase from last year, agricultural research as a trigger for economic transformation, youth leaders from opposition parties join nrm in pursuit of national development., uganda boasts trade surplus with drc, south sudan, and rwanda, despite challenges, president museveni calls for enhanced competition in production to drive economic growth, government, industry players, civil society in oil and gas to convene second joint cso conference, hon. john mulimba, minister of state for foreign affairs/regional affairs, meets with h.e. maj. gen. paul kisesa, high commissioner of tanzania to uganda, minister of foreign affairs hon. odongo jeje abubakhar addresses unctad global leaders’ forum at the un, geneva, minister of foreign affairs odongo holds bilateral meeting with dr. ngozi ikonjo – iweala, director-general of the world trade organization, minister of foreign affairs hon. odongo jeje abubakhar holds bilateral meeting with mr. daren tang director-general of the world intellectual property organization in geneva, updf land force command transition: ensuring resource efficiency and accountability., uganda and undp discuss stronger interventions to address climate change and promote development, editor picks, uneb releases 2024 preliminary registration data: 1.3 million candidates registered, 6%..., youth leaders from opposition parties join nrm in pursuit of national..., popular posts, rwanda to uganda: “the ties that bind us are strong and..., 11th cpa economic forum: government chief whip encourages collaboration for uganda’s..., babalanda releases final burial program for late speaker jacob oulanyah, popular category.

• Featured Stories 1697
• Current Affairs 172
• #NewsTonight 131
• Business 120
• National 91

Uganda Boasts Trade Surplus with DRC, South Sudan, and Rwanda, Despite...

President museveni calls for enhanced competition in production to drive economic..., government, industry players, civil society in oil and gas to convene....

• GSTC Mission & Impacts
• GSTC History
• Market Access Program
• GSTC Board of Directors
• Assurance Panel
• Working Groups
• GSTC Sponsors
• GSTC Members
• Recruitment
• Contact GSTC
• GSTC For the Press
• Criteria Development, Feedback & Revisions
• Sustainable Tourism Glossary
• SDGs and GSTC Criteria
• GSTC Industry Criteria
• GSTC Destination Criteria
• GSTC MICE Criteria
• Criteria Translations
• GSTC-Recognized Standards for Hotels
• GSTC-Recognized Standards for Tour Operators
• GSTC-Recognized Standards for Destinations
• Recognition of Standards (for Standard Owners)
• GSTC-Committed
• Certification for Hotels
• Certification for Tour Operator
• Certification for Destination
• Accreditation for Certification Bodies
• Accredited Certification Bodies
• Stakeholder Consultations
• What is Certification? Accreditation? Recognition?
• Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP)
• Upcoming Courses
• Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism
• Professional Certificate in Sustainable Business Travel
• GSTC Trainers and Partners
• FAQs: GSTC Training Program
• Organization Membership Application
• Destination Membership Application
• Membership Policy
• Membership Categories & Fees
• Membership Payment Options
• Webinars for GSTC Members
• Members Log In
• Upcoming Webinars
• GSTC2024 Singapore, Nov 13-16
• Upcoming Conferences
• Past Conferences
• Destination Stewardship Report

Uganda Tourism Board joins GSTC

Uganda Tourism Board has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa known for its diverse geography and cultural variety. The country’s landscape ranges from the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains to the extensive Lake Victoria, the largest lake on the continent. The capital, Kampala, is characterized by its mix of urban activity and the natural beauty of its surrounding hills and the shores of Lake Victoria.

The country is home to a range of ethnic groups and traditions, influenced by both neighboring countries and local heritage. This blend of cultures is reflected in Uganda’s variety of food, music, and handicrafts, highlighting its cultural diversity and history.

Sustainability in Uganda

Uganda embarked on a transformative journey towards sustainable development by integrating green growth principles into its National Development Plan III (NDP III) . With a commitment to balancing economic progress with environmental preservation. This NDP is the third in a series of six NDPs that will guide the nation and deliver the aspirations of the people of Uganda, as articulated in Uganda Vision 2040, which was launched in 2013 aiming for a ‘transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years’.

Besides the Global Goals, the country is committed to regional frameworks such as the African Union Agenda 2063, East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

GSTC Welcomes Uganda Tourism Board

“Uganda’s decision to join the GSTC is a significant step forward in promoting sustainable tourism practices. We value the commitment of the Uganda Tourism Board in supporting our mission. We look forward to working with them to advance sustainable tourism practices in Uganda and beyond,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria , which eventually can help achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body . 

About Uganda Tourism Board

Uganda Tourist Board (UTB) is a statutory organization established by the Uganda Tourist Board Statute 1994. The Board’s mandate is to develop and promote tourism, wildlife, and heritage resources to enhance Uganda as a competitive and preferred tourist destination while contributing to the national economy as well as promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading and classification, promote tourism investment, support, and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development.

More information here: https://www.tourism.go.ug/copy-of-uwec and https://www.exploreuganda.com/  

About the GSTC 

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership , including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/

Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Related posts.

Successful GSTC Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with Agoda & USAID Empowers Industry Professionals in Kathmandu, Nepal

GSTC Hotel Sustainability Training for Industry Professionals, August 1-2, 2024 (In partnership with Agoda & USAID)

HNtv INSIDERS – Hotel Sustainability at the Forefront: Insights from the GSTC Global Conference

UTB, foreign affairs ministry unite for global tourism push

_____________

Officials from the Department of International Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a four-day trip to the western part of Uganda, visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park among other attractions.

This move is a follow-up to an initiative mooted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in June 2023, aiming to implement a joint international marketing strategy for different tourism products outside Uganda.

Led by Connie Nuwagaba, a counsellor in the Department, the team of 15 delegates was mesmerised by the beauty and natural endowments of Western Uganda before they took a game drive inside the 1,978-square-kilometre Queen Elizabeth National Park.

They saw several wildlife, including lions, hippos, kobs, waterbucks, elephants, snakes, and hundreds of bird species, among an array of several other attractions.

They also witnessed the rudimentary method of sand mining at Lake Bunyampaka, where they saw several investment opportunities. According to Nuwagaba, the trip offered insights into Uganda's natural endowments, which ought to be marketed to several embassies and foreign missions. ;

"Every ambassador and foreign representative ought to be taken around this country to feel and witness the natural endowments that we have in terms of tourism among several other investment opportunities which have to be marketed outside the country," Nuwagaba urged.

Peace Nankinga, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that several staff have never been to a single national park in Uganda. ;

"This initiative will not only enhance our understanding of several endowments but also equip us with knowledge of several investment opportunities that can be sold to investors out of Uganda," she said.

During their recent visit ahead of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), several hosted buyers from different countries proposed to form a voluntary committee charged with attracting international tour companies to visit Ugandan embassies in their respective countries, from where more information about tourism and investment opportunities can be provided. ;

"Ugandan embassies should organize meet-ups and dinners where we can bring tour operators from respective countries. During such engagements, more information should be provided about Uganda to attract the big companies to bring their clients and better so, invest in Uganda," advised Robert Szulc from Poland.

In response, Nuwagaba appealed to the Uganda Tourism Board to continue providing branded material and other informative merchandise to embassies and foreign missions, which can be used to attract tourists and investors.

At the eighth edition of POATE, which ended on May 25, 2024, Ramathan Goobi, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, said the government was committed to increasing funding for tourism promotion. He further asserted that UTB was to take the lead not only in marketing Uganda but also in attracting international investors.

Daniel Irunga, the 'Explore Uganda' brand manager, said the visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park over the weekend was a continuation of an earlier initiative to have UTB and Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs implement a joint international marketing strategy, support crisis communications, and collaborate with diaspora associations to promote investment in Uganda. ;

He revealed that officials would be taken to all the tourism sites in Uganda, with Murchison Falls National Park next on the agenda. ;

"We need more collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially for tourism in the far-flung source markets, as part of the presidential directive on partnership with missions for tourism promotion," Irunga explained.

Calling for more visitors to the Pearl of Africa, Lilly Ajarova, the UTB chief executive officer, remains optimistic that the increasing number of direct flights and the expansion of tourism facilities reflect a commitment to making Uganda accessible and attractive to tourists and investors worldwide. ;

"Looking ahead, we are excited about the future of tourism in Uganda and are continuously working to enhance our offerings on the global stage," she stated.

Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, noted that the government has set an ambitious target to boost tourism earnings to $5 billion (sh19 trillion), with interventions such as improving security, developing tourism sites, enhancing accessibility, diversifying products, and leveraging technology. ;

"We are also ensuring a favourable business environment to encourage investment in tourism, enhancing our attractiveness and competitive advantage," Butime remarked.

CITES e-permits

About Uganda

Tourism Directory

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, WILDLIFE & ANTIQUITIES

Enhancing Uganda as a Preferred Tourist Destination

UTB BOARD OF DIRECTORS INAUGURATED

The 5th Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) of Directors was inaugurated on 8th February 2024 by Hon. Minister Tom R.Butime at Mestil Hotel, Kampala. Ms Pearl Horeau Kakooza will chair the 11-member Board of Directors.

MTWA Permanent Secretary Ms Doreen Silver Katusiime presented the 11-member Board of Directors to the Minister for the official inauguration.

The board memberS include;

Ms.Pearl Hoareau Kakooza - from TUGATA-Chairperson

Ms Olive Birungi - CAA

Ms.Sandra Ssali Kebirungi- Min. Finance

Mr.Vincent Operemo - NPA

Mr.Stephen Masaba - UWA

Mr.Vivian Lyazi - MTWA

Ms.Magret Ojara - NACCAU

Mr.Tony Mulinde - AUTO

Mr Rashid Kiyimba - UHOA

Mr.Kawamala Ronald - General Tourism

Ms. Lilly Ajarova - CEO UTB

Hon. Daudi Migereko the outgoing chair person expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry and partnering MDAs for the wonderful opportunity to serve and contribute to the development of the tourism Sector and the Country at large.