KAMPALA – Uganda Tourism Board – UTB, a statutory organization mandated to promote and market Uganda across the region and internationally, 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 has embarked on the Training of Public Health Inspectors on the minimum standards for accommodation facilities.
The training launched at Golden Tulip is in preparation for the forthcoming Inspection of Accommodation facilities in Uganda.
Speaking at the event, UTB Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova also revealed that come January 1, 2023, all tourism players in the country including; Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, UTB Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova, Tourism site owners, among others will require to be registered, and licensed by the Board in order to be able to operate.
She said that by 2024, they will carry out nationwide enforcement against hotels and accommodation facilities that will not have met the set standards.
“Considering the impact of Covid -19 on the tourism sector, many tourism enterprises were shut-down and as a result, various operations including health practices declined. Therefore, as the January 1st, 2023 deadline is in place for all tourism enterprises to be registered, we are giving them time to rearrange themselves until end of year when we are to commence enforcement for the better of the tourism sector and meet the best practices.”
According to UTB, Uganda has about 3,879 tourism players in accommodation, 1,111 Tour and Travel Companies, and 937 tour guides.
Ajarova said that much as they understand the negative impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector players, the sector needs to move forward and provide the best to attract both domestic and international tourist especially for existing businesses.
“There is no way we are going to grow the sector, without improving our services. So, we are giving this time until the end of the year for everyone to try their best.”
