Maintaining the minimum operating standards in Uganda’s tourism facilities like hotels is key in realizing performance targets of the industry and positioning the country as a preferred destination, Uganda Tourism Board CEO Lilly Ajarova has said.
Ms. Ajarova emphasizes the need to reinforce adherence to quality assurance measures by stakeholders in the tourism sector noting that this will drum up credibility for destination Uganda among tourists.
She made these remarks on Friday at Hotel Africana during the training of Tourism Police officers on sensitization and enforcement of standard operating procedures for accommodation facilities, eating places and minimum requirements for registration for tour operators and travel agents.
“UTB has the mandate to regulate the tourism sector so in the process of doing that, right now we are going to start an exercise of sensitizing accommodation owners. We have majorly been dealing with the big facilities who are registered and licensed by UTB, however, we have realized that there are many smaller facilities which are not licensed,” Ajarova said.
She added, “For us to be able to maintain the minimum standards that we require for the accommodation facilities, we are going to be carrying out this exercise with our key partners, the tourism police, to sensitize the owners. It is going to be a door-to-door sensitization so that everyone gets to learn and appreciate what’s required of them.”
After the exercise, the accommodation facility owners will be given time to improve the necessary sections of the facilities following which, enforcement will be done. Those that meet the minimum requirements and standards will be registered and licensed to operate officially and legally.
The licensing of tourism facilities and service providers is in fulfillment of one of UTB’s mandate to carry out Quality Assurance of the tourism sector as enshrined in the Tourism Act 2008.
Section (J) of the Act requires UTB to enforce and monitor standards and (K) mandates the Board to register, inspect, license and classify tourism enterprises.
Speaking during the training, CP Patrick Lawot, the Commandant of Tourism Police – Counter Terrorism noted that the tourism police is ready to join forces with UTB to better the sector which is fast growing and earning Uganda lots of revenue.
It should be noted that Uganda’s tourism sector earnings increased to a tune of US$ 289.9 million in the first quarter of the FY2023/2024.
“Among the key promoters of tourism is security. It is important that tourists feel safe when they are visiting. However, for us to be able to offer our service to tourist destinations, we need to have assurance that these are operating under legal frameworks and are recognized by the line authority. Why would we be offering security to a facility that is flouting operating procedures?” CP Lawot remarked.
He noted that the training is essential for the tourism officers to understand the minimum requirements, how to sensitize the service providers and facility proprietors about them and subsequently enforce the standard operating procedures.
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In his remarks, Barnabus Tusingwire, the Officer in Charge of Tourism Operations in the Uganda Police Force noted that different agencies and Authorities coming together to sensitize stakeholders about quality assurance is key in the promotion of Uganda as a safe and preferred destination.
He commended UTB’s commitment to conduct the trainings periodically noting that it enables the tourism police officers to carry out their duties seamlessly.
The tourism police has been in existence for 15 years and boasts over 1000 officers who are attached to various areas of interest in the tourism sphere such as accommodation facilities, National Parks, Game Reserves, recreation spots and tourist attraction sites.
The training preceded the first phase of the sensitization exercise which has kicked off today Saturday May 18th, ending May 28th 2024.
Phase 1 of the exercise is to be done in 19 police divisions in the Kampala Metropolitan Area including; Kajjansi, Kawempe, Mukono, Entebbe, Nansana, Wakiso, Nagalama, Jinja Rd, Kampala, Wandegeya, Kakiri, Kira Div, Kasangati, Kira Rd, Katwe, Nsangi, Kabalagala and Old Kampala.