The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Belgian Development Agency – Enabel (Uganda) have announced their partnership geared towards pushing the Fair Trade Tourism agenda and responsible tourism as a whole.
Ahead of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) which kicks off on Thursday May 23rd, the two entities have also unveiled the Sustainability and Fair Trade Awards which are to be part of the Expo here on.
The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The awards will be the climax of the three-day event, on Saturday May 25th at the Speke Resort Convention Center Munyonyo.
According to UTB CEO Ms. Lilly Ajarova, the Sustainability and Fair Trade Awards – the partnership’s flagship – will recognize stakeholders in the tourism value chain including exhibitors at POATE that are keen on promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices in their business operations.
“This is the first time we are having the sustainable tourism awards at POATE. Going forward, the next editions of POATE will have the awards,” she said.
As a core element of responsible and sustainable tourism, Fair Trade Tourism seeks to uphold principles such as; favorable working conditions and fair wages for employees of entities benefiting from tourism, equitable distribution of benefits, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.
The Ripple Effect of the Partnership
Enabel, which has been operating in Uganda for over 20 years, works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through implementing actions in areas of society building, promotion of fair and sustainable trade and entrepreneurship, training and awareness raising, innovative financing instruments among other domains.
According to Enabel Resident Representative for Uganda Tom Vanneste, the agency has been investing in the tourism sector since 2014 and their new 5-year plan will create a tremendous shift in departments such as formal skilling where 3,000 youth are targeted.
“Together with funding from the European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium, Enabel will be injecting a total of 20 billion shillings in tourism and we hope to create 5,000 jobs for youth as well as work with 100 private sector companies in the tourism sector,” Vanneste said.
The partnership, he added, brings forth a myriad of opportunities for people working along the tourism value chain to work better, earn better and generally improve their living standards.
It is also a springboard for practical strategies towards the implementation of Fair Trade Tourism principles.
Vanneste further stated that Enabel is partnering with UTB and other private sector players to market Uganda both for domestic and inbound tourism.
“Every tourist who comes here should create about 6 jobs. We will work with UTB to create even more products and packages to increase visitor stay. For example, if a tourist goes to the crater lakes, they should also have other engaging activities like say mountain biking or kayaking. If they go to Mbale for coffee and cultural experiences, they should also have another activity. This way, the visitors will come and stay longer,” he noted.
Ajarova reiterated that the partnership will promote growth and sustainability, making places better for people to live in, work and visit
“Our theme for POATE 2024 is “Responsible Tourism” and looking at the bigger picture, this partnership and the awards initiative feed into the ideals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 8 which speaks to decent work and economic growth,” said Ajarova.
She added, “We strongly believe that the promotion of sustainability will bring us to the achievement of the SGD 8 but also point us to the rest of the sustainable development goals and the attainment of the NRM manifesto and the National Development Plan 3 (NDPlll).”
The NDPlll aims at increasing average household incomes and improving the quality of life of Ugandans through sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment and sustainable wealth creation.
POATE 2024
Launched back in November 2023, the 8th edition of the Pear of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) seeks to foster tourism that is sensitive to its footprint on the environment, community, human rights and culture.
The familiarization trips for hosted buyers are already underway, an element of the Expo that acquaints the buyers from major source markets with the country’s tourism offerings.
The meetings, seminars, ground exhibition and the inaugural Sustainability and Fair Trade Awards are scheduled for May 23 to 25th.