Uganda Tourism Association Throws Support Behind Roosevelt Africa Trail

The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), the primary body for Uganda’s private tourism sector, has announced its strong backing for the Roosevelt Africa Trail (RAT). This initiative is viewed as a promising avenue for developing a sustainable heritage tourism offering that aims to attract more visitors, stimulate investment, create jobs, and generate income for local communities across the country.

The UTA’s support encompasses a wide array of industry stakeholders, including tour operators, hotels, safari guides, travel agents, community tourism organizations, and cultural heritage groups, collectively representing over 2,500 enterprises. Prominent member associations like the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) are among those lending their weight to the project.

According to UTA Vice President Isa Kato, the association and the wider tourism sector are integral to the RAT’s success. He emphasized that the trail is more than just a historical route; it’s a chance to connect diverse locations, communities, landscapes, and narratives linked to Theodore Roosevelt’s historical African expedition, transforming this history into a valuable contemporary tourism product for Uganda and the region.

Kato highlighted the potential for the RAT to draw both domestic and international tourists, spur investment, create youth employment, and boost community income while promoting the conservation of associated natural and cultural heritage. For Uganda, the trail offers a unique opportunity to combine its rich history and heritage with its established attractions like wildlife, primates, stunning landscapes, and cultural tourism, thereby expanding tourism circuits beyond traditional hotspots.

This industry support was also showcased internationally when Yogi Birigwa, representing Uganda’s private tourism sector, addressed a high-level engagement at Uganda House in New York. The event brought together representatives from Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, along with U.S. stakeholders, to explore how their shared Theodore Roosevelt heritage can translate into tourism, trade, and economic cooperation opportunities.

The development of the Roosevelt Africa Trail is expected to create extensive opportunities across Uganda’s tourism value chain. Tour operators can craft new itineraries, hotels can anticipate increased bookings, guides can offer fresh experiences, and travel agents can package the trail for global markets. Furthermore, community tourism organizations and craftspeople can directly benefit from visitor engagement, potentially leading to new investments in accommodation, services, and tourism facilities in less-visited areas.

This backing from the UTA signifies substantial private sector endorsement as the Roosevelt Africa Trail progresses towards implementation, aiming to leverage a significant historical narrative into a tangible economic and cultural asset for Uganda.

Source: Nile Post