MOBILE REVOLUTION THAT HAS BEWITCHED TOURIST INDUSTRY IN UGANDA.

Over the next decade, the functionality of travel review sites will grow alongside innovations in mobile technology and will become even more embedded in the planning stage. Intelligent search anybody who has used the internet for holiday research - for finding the best deals, the best accommodation or the best things to see or do – knows that it is no easy task as it used to be on the last 17 years. However, with improvements in data processing technology expected in the next five years, we will see the development of smarter search engines which will be better at finding and comparing more complex queries. Amadeus predicts that in the near future, consumers will be able to ask a search engine to “find a seven day hiking holiday under a specific budget, including flights and accommodation, on specific dates,” and it will generate a wide range of possible itineraries and destinations for gorillas safaris and any other destinations depending on one’s interests. The tourism industry has already seen the impact of this with the decline of the traditional high street agent in favour of online travel agencies and independent booking. However, despite the technology being available, mobile travel booking has been slower to catch on and still significantly lags behind mobile travel research . But with a growing number of mobile-optimised sites and enhanced search engines, industry experts expect to see mobile bookings nudge ahead of traditional channels by 2016. One area where we will see mobile make an impact in the meantime is the growing trend for on-the-go bookings as discussed on the previous page. The collaborative economy with consumers better connected than ever before, tourists are increasingly making travel hemispheres arrangements via peer-to-peer networks. Individuals in other global destinations can participate in marketing due to the power full tool of Apps thus enhancing local development opportunities . This land mark development is to usher in a new era for our local tourism promotion , making it easier for an body a round look for information in Uganda safaris. Over the years faced challenges in marketing the country a broad and taking advantage of internet platform as a mobile application. The user experience on a mobile device is significantly different than that on a PC – navigating through an un optimized website on a mobile device is a fiddly and frustrating experience and will increasingly be a turn-off to those who may have been willing to make a booking using their smart phone or tablet. That’s why a growing number of tourism businesses are staying one step ahead of the trend and investing in mobile optimisation. Simplicity is the key to boosting conversion rates. Consumers want a hassle-free experience and, with less space to play with on a smart phone screen, this means that copy needs to be limited to the most important pieces of information and the booking facility needs to be as clear and as straightforward as possible. Coming soon – more and more on-the-go book Mobile payments Driven by the rise of the smartphone, it is forecast that digital currency will replace cash in the next decade. Of course, for tourists, this will bring the benefit of not having to carry cash on holidays. But significantly for tourism businesses, it will offer another way of collating data purposes. it will become more and more significant for businesses to collect these ‘digital breadcrumbs’ (from social media and mobile payments alike) in order to remain competitive in the marketplace

Take advantage of Reduced and discounted Gorilla Permit Rates in Uganda during the month of April and May Plus November

Uganda and Rwanda are famous for Mountain gorilla trekking expeditions. In Rwanda a gorilla permit cost US$ 750 while in Uganda a gorilla permit cost US$ 600. Normally it's painfully expensive to go on a gorilla safari due to the high cost of permits (usually $600), but during the low season (April-May and November), the Ugandan Wildlife Authority discounts the price of a gorilla permit to US$ 350 almost half price compared to the other months of the year. Travel hemispheres will be offering discounted price of 3 days gorilla safari as low as 1 person to US$ 1250 staying middle facility. Then 2 people sharing will be USD 880 per person staying in middle facility . There are many accommodation facilities around Bwindi as local tour company we can give you a variety of facilities ranging from luxury to Budget and even camping. Clients can choose a facility of their choice and we shall immediately communicate the cost. Even clients can take this advantage and do a Uganda safari of many days during these months as cost will be down since some lodges offer low season rates. Today Travel hemispheres also offer Uganda flying safaris to see and trek gorillas. Thus during low season rates , people who would wish to spend less time on the road can also fly to Bwindi with schedule flight. Clients can capitalised on this to offer a three-day gorilla tracking safari with a permit and will pay US$ 1450 per person for 2 people sharing doing a flying safari to Bwindi. Clients will be staying at Mahogany Springs Lodge – a luxury facility. For overzealous clients on sight seeing can track gorillas at Kisoro side and will take advantage of seeing the spectacular Lake Mutanda and the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, and will stay at Nshongi Gorilla Resort. Where they enjoy good quality food and en suite accommodation. With the safari including 3 travel days, travelers will track through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until the mountain gorillas are located, after which the group will spend one hour with the gorillas. Rates given above are for months of April , May and November, they include transport by road from Kampala, two nights accommodation, full board while at the lodge, a day of gorilla tracking and gorilla permit.

Uganda Tourism Pontential

Uganda’s tourism potential is just immense, bigger than all the other countries in the region including Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, although they currently earn much more than Uganda. For instance, apart from wildlife and beaches, Kenya and Tanzania don’t have anything more to offer. Uganda on the other hand has a diversity of options including nature-based attractions such as mountain gorillas, over 1,065 bird species, the source of the world’s longest river and the world’s best white water rafting sites to mention but a few. But for their shortage of resources, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda make up through aggressive marketing and improved services to sell their destinations.

Uganda is bound to earn more than it is earning to today if the stake holders and government of Uganda invest more in marketing the country attractions to tourists that would end up taking uganda safari here. Uganda is the river Nile starting point, it’s where savannah meets the vast lakes of East Africa, where snow-capped mountains bear down on sprawling jungles and Kampala is one of Africa’s safest places,” the site read in part. Uganda emerged the number one destination ahead of Myanmar (Burma), Ukraine, Jordan, Denmark, Bhutan, Cuba, New Caledonia, Taiwan and Switzerland. In November 2011, the National Geographic website again voted the Ishasha tree-climbing lion the best picture for 2011. The ranking provide a pointer and hope that Uganda tours and her tourism industry could return to its 1960 glory.“2011 has been a good year, it has created visibility for Uganda but much is needed to showcase our endowments to stimulate domestic, regional and international tourism to benefit from this visibility,” the executive director Uganda Tourism Board, Mr Cuthbert Balinda Baguma said recently.

The Growth of Uganda domestic Tourism

The growth of Uganda’s tourism sector is partly dependent on the promotion of domestic tourism. According to the analysis so done, it indicates that the tourism industry in Uganda safaris is still lagging behind which is attributed to the negligence of the government support towards domestic tourism therefore, its neighbors calling for the need to develop tourism domestically. The contribution of the Tourism industry in Kenya and Tanzania is partly attributed to the greater emphasis and support the governments provide to the sector to develop it domestically, which lacks in Ugandan government despite of the unique offerings it possesses like the country’s all year round sunny climate and unique, fauna and flora that make it potentially one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The industry being the source of foreign exchange for the country, there are several initiatives that have been undertaken to develop the industry but a lot more needs to be done for example though the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is trying to promote domestic tourism, but it is not enough, so the government should increase its spending at the promotion of Uganda as a tourist destination of choice for tourists, providing incentives for investment into the sector, increase on the tourism marketing funds and try to resolve their political wrangles peacefully to avoid political unrest in the country which scares away tourists and impacts on Uganda’s tours reputation as a safe tourist destination. Coupled with poor infrastructure, it makes domestic tourism relatively low.

In the campaign to develop domestic tourism, tour operators urge the government to ensure that the development of transport network is efficient since it has a direct impact on improving accessibility to tourists destinations within Uganda. Because of poor road net work, strong vehicles are needed to access national parks which cannot be afforded by local people who are willing to travel to visit local tourist sites. Thus government need to do a lot of marketing, provide incentives to investors, create more tourism awareness within the domestic population and ensure security in the country thus urge domestic tourism will advance the sector in the country.

By Fred

Uganda Mountain Gorilla Conservation

Gorillas were considered worthy protection and the American Carl Akeley persuaded the Belgians to protect their Congolese and Rwandan Volcano slopes in the new Parc National des Albert, Africa’s first national park in 1925. The Uganda slopes were declared a gorilla game sanctuary in 1931 but it was still not until 1960 that anyone bothered to observe gorillas sufficiently to appreciate their true nature.

The Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF) is devoted to the preservation and protection of the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas in Africa, their habitat, and working with the people around the National Parks. The Denver Gorilla Run is a charity fun run with a difference. Everyone who takes part wears a full gorilla costume - from feathery head to hairy toe and helps raise funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, the international charity working to save the world's last remaining mountain gorillas and keeping Dian Fossey's dream alive for the past 21 years. The World Bank and the UN have recognized the initiative of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the protection of the globally endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Uganda is the only country in which gorilla populations have been time after time on the rise and where the population is part of effective matter. Legislation that recognizes its habitats within a gazetted national system of protected areas. An excellent way to help protect the last remaining mountain gorillas is to adopt a gorilla. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) makes this possible with profits from adoptions directly going to support research on the mountain gorillas and the local communities living in the periphery of protected areas. How you are contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorilla The threats to the mountain gorilla population and its habitat are many. One of these threats is the possibility of disease transmission to the gorillas and reduces behavioral disturbances to this fragile population; these gorilla rules have been developed. By following these rules and through the purchase of a permit, you are contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorilla. The protected area authorities use the funds generated from the sale of this permit for the management of national parks and wild reserves. A percentage of the funds raised from the park entrance fees and community levy permits is shared with the local communities living adjacent to the parks to contribute to their development projects and to improve natural resource management in the region. Goals of the conservation The detection of the Mountain Gorillas took place in the Virunga Mountains, on October 17th, 1902, by Captain Robert von Beringe. In festivity of this event and to promote the preservation of the Mountain Gorillas, the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF) is undertaking several projects to achieve the celebration of this event and to promote the preservation of the Mountain Gorillas, the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF) is undertaking several projects to achieve the goal of saving these gorillas from extinction. The Current Projects section gives a brief description of eight of these projects. The "Preservation through Visualization" portion of this project promotes the number one task set before the MGCF. In 1987, only 248 Mountain Gorillas lived in the wild. Because of projects coordinated by the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, there are now over 700 living in the wild. The Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund is devoted to ensuring the future of the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By providing a partnership of business, wildlife conservation, and community development, MGCF addresses the single biggest challenge facing preservation of these animals today; how do we help communities in developing areas grow and prosper without destroying precious habitat or the Mountain Gorillas, who call it home. Read more facts about gorillas: Mountain Gorilla Diet Breeding of the Gorillas By Fred Bukenya

Air Uganda Grows

Air Uganda a local airline registered here in Uganda has celebrated its 1st anniversary. The airline has entered into partnership with Belgian Airline SN Brusseels to fly its passengers to European destinations.

Under the agreement Air Uganda will also fly all SN Brussels airlines passengers who are traveling to Zanzibar Entebbe and Juba in south Sudan. Air Uganda is also in talks with the Qatar the Middle East while Air Uganda takes Qatar passengers to its regional destinations of Zanzibar Entebbe and Juba.This will also increase tourists coming to do Uganda tours

Negotiations are also underway with an undisclosed regional airline to fly Air Uganda passengers through linked flights from Entebbe direct to Khartoum with stop over in Juba.

When negotiations are finalized Air Uganda hopes to issue single tickets from either Entebbe or Khartoum that will be honoured from Juba for onward connection thus eliminating the need for different tickets connected flights .

Speaking at the company’s headquarters in Kampala recently the airlines chief executive officer Peter de Waal said as part of the company first anniversary celebrations of operation in Uganda it was taking into consideration the provision of quality products to exploit the potential that takes exists in the region alongside the need to provide a Ugandan carrier for the region. He also mentioned that this will increase Uganda Tourism by tapping new areas initially not having direct flights here.

Air Uganda begun operations on November 14th 2007. Last week they announced a new partner for the Juba Khartoum Route. Plans are also under way to take the carrier to the Rwanda skies for amore complete coverage of the East African skies de Waal said .Since inception Air Uganda has flown over 70,000 passengers introduced and begun operations on new routes signed land mark agreements with Kenya air ways and will soon launch its cargo service which will be available on all routes that the airline has operation.

Air Uganda joined .The Uganda aviation industry is so hostile that some times the mortality rate is reduced to just six months as was the case with Victoria International Airline.

Musiime also said the airline had over the past few months been in negotiations with several stakes holders in the regions aviation industry so as to make the air lines a regional carrier despite the troubles that are involved while joining a near market monopoly. Among the new Air Uganda parterners are Kenya Airways that has for long been players on the Entebbe Nairobi route SN Brussels and soon Qatar Air.

Internet Eases Travel and Tourism Industry Communication

Imagine having numerous travel consultants and agent all over the world and one can talk and communicate with them so easily. This Amazing. Indeed the Internet is one of the most fascinating innovations of the century. You can access any information or transmit messages across the world in a flash. To get on the Internet populary known as the Net you simply connect your computer to the International net work via an Internet service or access . Once you are on line connected to the Net your computer can talk to any other computer on the Internet.

Before the internet came around the table the fax and telephone was looked as the major and best way to communicate. As I talk am in Uganda tourism industry a third world country where internet started around 1998. By this time I was already in the tourism sector but confirming safari was not as easy as it is today. It was not easy to deal with your customer/clients directly. It was a must to use an agent in different parts of the world in order to realize sales. We had to travel globally to have that physical contact and establish that trust between the ground tour operator and the agent. As if that was not enough, the Travel Agent also had to fly to make sure that he is dealing with real operator. Though Internet also has its short comings, but for those who understand it can easily locate the country,city, location by latitudes and longitudes using the IPS address. Thus this eliminates the doubt where one is located. There those who use satellite addresses but still one can tell.

By mid 1998 there were about 14 million Internet users world wide. Today more than 800 million have access to the Internet. The Net has become a fast growing tool for communication .The Internet demands a completely new way of doing business. It is now possible to send large amounts of information to a practically unlimited number of address ees recipients round the world. People can communicate and work with others in a rapid and simple way.

Fast data transfer automatically results in higher levels of quality and increases the speed of transactions connected with any given project. Today many people exploit the opportunities for business. For example some people transact their entire deals on line.

When it comes to Travel industry internet has become the most needed tool today. Talk of airlines booking air tickets on line, hotel and lodge reservation on line, and above all the process of payments done on line using credit cards has made this industry very enjoyable.

People can have access via Internet to the products they have ordered for explains engineer Fred Okullo a communications specialist. Every stage of the of the value chain can be Internet based. Information on product development the manufacture of goods and services and the entire logistics chain associated with supply and delivery can be accessed through the Net.

The Internet was commercially introduced in Uganda at about the same time as cellular telephony services. Like in other countries the demand for Internet Services in Uganda has increased. Twelve years ago there were only two Internet Services Providers ISPs. Currently there 17 ISPsand 13 infrastructure provider lincensees with a mandate to provide voice and data services according to the Uganda Communications Commission UCC The Commission regulates Internet services among others

There is an Internet Point of presence PoP at all district headquarters and there has been an increase in the deployment of wireless access infrastructure based on WIFI wimMAX hostspots .

All this has made the Uganda tourism and the world over a global village where one can communicate so easily and achieve his targets within shortest possible time.