Association of Uganda Tour Operators

16/02/2015

AFTERNOON NEWS: February 16, 2015

BOTSWANA TOURISM ORGANISATION GETS NEW CHIEF

The government of Botswana has appointed Thabo Dithebe as the new Chief Executive Officer of its tourism promoting body, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO).

Dithebe takes over from the organisation’s founding CEO, Myra Sekgororoane, who left the body two years ago to venture into private business. “By appointing a candidate of Dithebe’s calibre, I am cementing our mission of promoting local talent and identifying a leader who has an excellent vision of the tourism industry,” said Tshekedi Khama Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. “Our main focus is growing domestic tourism and moving away from dependence on diamonds revenue.”

Before his latest appointment, Dithebe served as the body’s Director of Projects and Business Operations.

13/02/2015

AFTERNOON UPDATE: February 13, 2015

QUIZ TIME

Name these two companies representing Uganda and the trade fair they participating in.
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NB: Four persons with the correct answers will win gifts from AUTO. Deadline for answer submission is Sunday.

10/02/2015

MORNING UPDATE: February 10, 2015

KING OF CAR HIRE SINCE 1998

Twinomujuni, the director of Africa Runners Co. Ltd, has been in the tourism sector since 1998. Starting out as a manager of a Chinese hotel, he saw an opportunity in providing transport services to the hotel guests. He bought a small car at Shs 5.5 million and hired a driver to drive it. In 2000, he made friends with a Japanese man who became his partner. He quit his hotel job and registered his tour and travel company, starting with four cars. Later, his partner sent four other cars. Currently, he has 30 vehicles and serves about 15 customers daily, fetching him about Shs 1.5 million on average.

He rents out a car for at least Shs 100,000 per day, depending on the distance to be covered. "I decided to focus on offering transport services because you need capital to have the capacity to offer a wide range of services in the industry," says Twinomujuni. With 32 staff including drivers, salesmen and security personnel, the company concentrates on hiring or renting out cars, air port transfers, and transporting tourists or clients to various sites within and outside Kampala including national parks.

Tip to success: Have motivation to achieve your goal
"My family misses me. I leave at 5 am and return at midnight because what I want is a combination of hard work and achieving my goal of building a successful business that will remain even after I am no longer there.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201502090043.html
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05/02/2015

AFTERNOON UPDATE: February 5, 2015

TOURISTS FAVORITE SNACK

A Rolex in Uganda is not the expensive watch but Uganda’s Favorite street snack.

It's not the most elegant snack you've ever had, but after a long day in the sun it's delicious - a big hit of carbs and protein for hard-working people.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/31125224

Newsbeat's Chris Smith is in Uganda for Comic Relief, here's what he's found so far.

05/02/2015

MORNING UPDATE: February 5, 2015

KCCA LAUNCHES PUBLIC TRAIN SERVICE

By the end of March commuters to Kampala from the Mukono area could be using railway transport after KCCA launches a train service from Namanve to Kampala.

The train service will have morning and evening shifts from Namanve to Kampala at 3,400 shillings for a return journey.

KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi says this will help reduce the traffic congestion in the city.
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04/02/2015

MORNING UPDATE: February 4, 2015

VALENTINE OFFER AT VOLCANOES

If you are interested in spending Valentine's Day at the Volcanoes Paradise. Please contact them at [email protected]
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03/02/2015

EVENING QUIZ: February 3, 2015

What is the name of the company that was exhibiting and where was the trade Expo? ( 3 persons/ companies with Correct answers will be entitled to gift hampers. Deadline February 4@10 AM)

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03/02/2015

AFTERNOON UPDATE: February 3, 2015

DESTINATION JUNGLE HEADS TO MILAN NEXT WEEK

After the success of the exhibition MATKA in Helsinki on 14th January, Destination Jungle with Costantino and Charles will be in Milan at BIT exhibition between 12 to 14th February. Make it a must to visit them!
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02/02/2015

MORNING UPDATE: February 2, 2015

UGANDA TO TARGET AMERICA FOR TOURISM AND SECTOR INVESTORS

In November last year, John Ssempebwa, the deputy CEO of Uganda Tourism Board announced that public relations firms will be used to market Uganda starting with UK, Germany and the USA. It is obvious that the beginning of year 2015 is seeing more emphasis placed on targeting the lucrative American market.

Today, Marlina Moreno, the Los Angeles based American female model/TV host/entrepreneur has been appointed to promote Uganda tourism in the United States. This is the first time in the history of the sector that the leadership is experimenting with an approach like this. Whether the more traditional Ugandans agree with this or not, the fact remains that models and other celebrities have a broader marketing appeal especially in the Americas. For example, Super singer Rihanna has been used to successfully promote holidays to Barbados.
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http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/664259-uganda-to-target-america-for-tourism-and-sector-investors.html

In the wake of development, Uganda is proactively looking for new source markets and investments for the emerging hospitality and tourism sector.

02/02/2015

MORNING UPDATE: February 2, 2015

FIX AN APPOINTMENT WITH AROUND AFRICA SAFARIS

Around Africa Safaris is looking forward to share its amazing itineraries, packages at the forthcoming world's leading trade show in Berlin.
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30/01/2015

EVENING UPDATE: January 30, 2015

JOIN LAKE KITANDARA TOURS AND TRAVEL AT ITB

Make it a point to visit stand 21 A in Africa Hall.
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30/01/2015

AFTERNOON UPDATE: January 30, 2015

FOLLOW THE FOOT PRINTS TO ITB

Once again, Foot Prints is delighted to announce that it will be showcasing at ITB Berlin from 4-8th March 2015 in Africa Hall 20/120.It will be glad to give you an update on , and .

Feel free to visit booth #120 or contact them for an appointment at your earliest convenience.