The Plan To Sell Religious Tourism At Indaba Tourism Expo By Uganda

There has been a big attempt by Uganda to sell religious tourism during the Indaba expo. Uganda has got various religious tourism sites the most paramount being Uganda Martyrs shrine in Namugongo. In this place, a number of believers were killed under the order of by then the King of Buganda called Mwanga. A number of Christians both Catholics and Anglicans were brutally killed during the reign of this king. There were also Moslems who were killed during his regime.

This tourism expo takes place every year. Last year, it took place from 7^th May to 9^th May 2016 and it was where it was decided that Uganda should market her religious tourism. Among other things which were discussed where marketing Uganda’s eco-tourism on addition to religious tourism. This expo is considered as the largest annual tourism expo in the world and largest of the African continent. In Uganda, Eco tourism is an important means for environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively un disturbed areas. The tourists, who fall under this type of tourism segment do, enjoy and appreciate nature which promotes conservation and also provides the social economic involvement of local population. Within the country, co tourism involves bird watching; nature guided walks, village/community walks, gorilla and chimpanzee as well as game viewing.

However, the most paramount activity which was promoted was Uganda Martyrs celebrations in Namugongo. Every year, there are many pilgrims from many neighboring country who travel from far and come to Uganda for martyr’s day celebrations. This event happens every 3^rd June every year. The martyrs to be marketed in the expo include; 23 Anglicans and 22 Catholics. These were brutally executed between January 1885 and Jan 1889 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga.  This site has been marketed by many tour operators and packages have been drawn include visiting the martyrs shrine at Namugongo. There has been an urge to involve many other tourists world through informative marketing so as they come to know and visit the Uganda Martyrs shrine in Namugongo. To many people in the world, this sight is less known and there is need for extensive marketing so as it can generate revenue in the country.

In addition to the above, the chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board also pointed out the task of promoting Uganda’s tourism to the world. In his communication, he had this to say “The uniqueness about faith based tourism is that it is an emotional activity and the people don’t need to be convinced, He added that  because people will go for religious pilgrimages in Israel even when the place is insecure and leave coming to Uganda since the place is not well marketed”. In this communication therefore, it clearly shows the need to market religious tourism in the country as a way of increasing on Uganda’s tourism revenues and diversifying the tourism industry.

Other expo where Uganda intends to market her tourism products include, the annual Durban South Africa which is also held annually. This conference brings together many African tourism leaders and things which are usually discussed about include the global buyers of the tourism products. This conference also comes with the aim of promoting a means of economic growth and transformation on the whole African continent. There is also the Inkosi Albert Luthuli international Convention Centre in Durban which is held every year. Last year, it was held between 7-9 may 2016 and over 500 buyers around the globe attend the event. It was good news to Uganda as it won the best African Exhibitor for its unique and ecofriendly designs it showed during the conference.