World Tourism Month Dedicated to Promoting Uganda Tourism
World Tourism Day is celebrated each year on 27th of September globally. On this day focus is made on the socio-Economic importance and contribution of Tourism to the World. This year’s theme is ‘Poverty Alleviation, Job Creation and Social Harmony’.
Being charged with the promotion of tourism in the country, the Uganda Tourist Board has continued to spearhead events in the month of September notably a biking race in the luxuriant Mabira forest and a fundraising raft race on the Nile River organized in September of 2002 that was devoted to the reintroduction of rhinos in Uganda. Both were first ever events attracting the participation corporate bodies in he country.
This year’s main event on 27th September will be hosted free of charge to the public by Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe. The Centre represents Uganda’s diverse attractions teeming with rainforest, beaches, animal specie including two white Rhinos recently reintroduced in the country after being wiped out by poaching in the mid eighties, bird, plant insect and culture, not forgetting the Jane Goodal – Ngamba Island off Entebbe, which is sanctuary to, rescued chimpanzees.
Kids and Snake
A match past through Entebbe municipality and its environs shall precede the main event after which a World food festival luncheon is to be hosted by Imperial Botanical Beach hotel Entebbe. Also in store shall be guest artistes and traditional dancers in camaraderie with tourism stake holders including the Mayor of Entebbe, Uganda Wildlife Authority, hotels, resorts, Civil Aviation Authority, all management and operational organizations at the airport including Immigrations, Entebbe Cargo Handing Services, Bond and clearing agents, Air Traffic control, airport maintenance and cleaning staff, Oil companies, Beverage companies, Duty free, souvenir and restaurant outlets, Airlines and charters, legislators, technocrats, Uganda Tourist Association, Association of Uganda tour Operators, The Uganda Travel Agents Association, Hotel Owners Association, Hotel Catering Association, Uganda Association of Tourism Training Institutions Dons from the Ivory Tower, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda Tourist Board, and students from the Wildlife clubs in Uganda. Other highlights on the day are a mini exhibition organized by Entebbe Tourism Development Association at U.W.E.C and the launch of the ‘New Tourism Policy’ document and a cultural catwalk led by miss Tourism Uganda 2002 crowned by a jungle themed disco at Vogue discotheque-half price.
Cards for the food festival at imperial Botanical beach Hotel are on Sale at Uganda Tourist Board at Ushs 13,000.
PROGRAMME:
9:00AM. -Arrival of participants at Mayors Gardens Entebbe
9:30AM.- Flagging off of match past by chief walker
10:30AM.- Inauguration of medicinal plants at U.W.EC
11:00 AM. – Inspection of domestic tourism exhibits.
11:30AM.- Guests take seats at the beach
12:00 PM.- Welcome speech by U.W.E.C Director
Entertainment Interlude
1:00PM. – Mayor welcomes guests to Entebbe municipality.
1:15PM. – Minister invites the guest of honor to launch the Tourism Policy.
1:25PM.- Guest of honors address
1:35PM.-Vote of thanks from U.T.A president
1:45 PM.- Food Festival at Botanical Beach
4:00PM.-Boat race, Entertainment, Cultural catwalk by miss Tourism 2002 at
U.W.E.C beach front