Corona Virus Impact on Uganda Tourism

 Uganda tourism, hotel and aviation industries, as well as other businesses, are feeling the impact of the deadly coronavirus (COVID 19) following cancellation of bookings by tourists.

Although Uganda is still coronavirus free as of now, suspected travellers entering the country most especially from China and other affected countries have been put in quarantine for 14days and monitored by the ministry of health.

Uganda tourism has been severely affected by the virus outbreak because, most tourists cancelled their trips, and others postponed to a future date. This is because, those tourists, especially from countries affected by the virus, are not allowed to leave their country, and if they manage to leave their homes, they are not allowed into Uganda. We have a fear that our mountain gorillas will be affected by the virus, and therefore, we request UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) to close the gorilla parks for a couple of weeks as it is in DR Congo as a way to save the mountain gorillas from the virus.

Last week, The Uganda hotel owner’s association (UHOA) board members organized a meeting together with the country representative of world health organization (WHO) at Sheraton hotel Kampala to brief hoteliers and the tourism fraternity of Uganda about COVID-19.

The meeting was addressed by the Minister of Health, Hon Ruth Acheng and the chairperson of UHOA Mrs Susan Muhwezi on precautionary measures operators in the tourism and hotel industry should take to ensure safety from coronavirus, Ms Muhwezi also urged the government to offer tax reliefs and other incentives so that hotels stay afloat. She also continued to say that some hotel has already laid off staff.

“Some smaller hotels like mine in Mbarara have already reduced their staff numbers. Although we are still talking about stock of numbers of cancellation and their resultant financial implications, it is without a doubt that the tourism industry is taking a big financial hit because of this pandemic,” she said.

The tour operators and hoteliers’ are reporting that phones have stopped ringing, the emails are not coming through, and those who booked hotel accommodation and other services are cancelling deals and asking for a refund. The flights have reduced and jobs lost as airlines struggle to cope with a slump in demand blamed on coronavirus outbreak that has turned in a global pandemic, sweeping through rich as well as poor nations most especially in Europe which is Uganda’s premium tourism market.

The Chief Executive Officer of Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) Gloria Tumwesigye said they are in contact with guests and travel agents (as pertinent) to discuss concerns and alternatives for travel booked. She adds that many AUTO members have reported emails and calls from their clients requesting cancellations and postponement of trips and meetings to known or unknown dates in the future because of seasonality or timing of travel programs.

“Our members are handling the issue based on the relaxed reschedule policy guidelines from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as well as the different individual companies’ procedures and policies that might largely include postponements or offering alternative travel options.” Gloria lauded

She also said that “AUTO is working diligently to help get the much-needed assistance for our members, their clients and partners while keeping you apprised of any in-the-moment news in this rapidly changing landscape. We are specifically lobbying for incentives for tourism businesses as a recovery plan for the tourism sector. We will continue to monitor the situation and be guided by the health and safety authorities.”