Uganda tourism earnings hit $1 billion
Uganda's tourism sector has hit $1 billion in earnings, with tourism receipts expected to return to pre-Covid levels by the end of the year.
The latest tourism trend and statistics report for 2024 indicated a surge in international tourist receipts by 48.5 percent, reaching $1.025 billion last year. The figure represents 83.4 percent of the $1.6 billion recorded in 2019.
Doreen Katusiime, the Tourism Permanent Secretary, attributed this recovery to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities.
“Through the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, in collaboration with its agencies and the private sector, we have witnessed a recovery of the industry. International arrivals have increased to an impressive 82.6 percent of pre-pandemic levels,” Katusiime, was quoted by The EastAfrican.
According to The EastAfrican, this resurgence is attributed to increased arrivals from Africa and key overseas markets such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and India. Over the past three years, Uganda has actively promoted its destinations in southern and western Africa. Meanwhile, Uganda Airlines has expanded its African network with new routes.
Domestically, there has been a notable 25.3 percent increase in tourism, with more Ugandans exploring national parks and other recreational centres in 2023.
After the pandemic, tourism remains a vital sector in Uganda, contributing approximately 4.7 percent to the country's GDP and employing over 620,000 people directly or indirectly.
Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan maintained their positions as Uganda's largest African source markets, accounting for 80 percent of all African arrivals in 2023.
