JINJA, Uganda – Failure by the government to revive Uganda Airlines is affecting the development of tourism sector.

Last week, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has said countries with national airlines like Ethiopia and South Africa are attracting many tourists because of cheaper air tickets.

“Uganda can develop its tourism potential if the government revives its national carrier as it was in the late 1970s. Uganda as a destination for tourism is very expensive, because the country depends on foreign airline companies which on many occasion hike their travel dues,” she said during the launch of the Jinja Nile Adventure Day.

Uganda Airlines was liquidated in2001 following the government’s inability to sustain amidst high overhead costs. Some sections of Ugandans are asking the government to revive it, but no decision has been made either way.

Kadaga said if the tourism sector is to develop the government should also focus on promoting community tourism and urban tourism, which can generate huge amounts of money for some countries like Sri Lanka.

However she said in order to develop such tourism the government needs to develop modern airfields in all the potential tourism areas like Jinja in eastern Uganda.

“Tourists don’t want to drive long distances on roads. But if we have developed airstrips in the country, this can ease the movement of tourists from Entebbe International Airport to their final destinations,” she said.

Referring to the distance from Entebbe to Jinja, she said visitors will need to spend about two hours on the road to cover the 121.5 kilometer distance. But according to Kadaga such time spent on the way can discourage people from visiting such unique places as the Source of the Nile.

The Jinja Nile Day of Adventure will be held annually and celebrated in Jinja Town every the November 13th. The main objective is to promote tourism Uganda’s formerly bustling industrial town.

Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Director Stephen Asiimwe said UTB is going to market Jinja both locally and internationally because of its uniqueness compared to other towns in the country.

He said UTB is going to use the upcoming African Travel Association conference slated for November2014 to market the town. He also disclosed that UTB in partnership with ATA, are going to participate in the beatification of Jinja Town by developing a green belt in Jinja town.

“UTB and ATA in partnership with the Jinja Municipality Local Government and the Source of the Nile Rotary Club we plan to plant trees, such that the town looks green,” he said.

He said Jinja presents the centre of adventure, but the opportunity has not been exploited. He challenged local communities not to over rely on the Central Government but should also support the development of tourism industry in the town through mobilizing themselves.

According to the Jinja Municipality Tourism Development Officer, Simon Kata, the Source of the Nile continues to attract thousands, but more marketing is needed.

“Annually at the Source of the Nile we receive about 100,000 tourists. Their presence in the town has engineered the development of the hospitality industry, like the construction many hotels in the town due to the high demand of accommodation facilities. This has created employment opportunities for the youth in the hospitality industry,” he said.

He asked the Municipality leadership to work hard to beatify the town because the majority of the old buildings need some redevelopment. Feeder roads also needed urgent repair to allow tourists to get to the sites easier. During the rainy season access becomes difficult.

But Jinja Municipality Mayor Mohamed Beswale Kezala told East African Business Week the contractor managing the Jinja Town Taxi park has committed himself to offer some financial support towards the beatification of Jinja Town.

Source:http://www.eturbonews.com/49750/kadaga-failure-revive-uganda-airlines-stalling-tourism-developme