Free Access | 2024-04-12

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TOURISM SECTORS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY: THE WAY FORWARD FOR UGANDA

Authors/Editors: Isaac M.B. Shinyekwa (PhD) ,  Francis Mwaura ,  Patrick Apecu

Abstract:

The paper makes a comparative analysis of the tourism sectors in the EAC with a view to improve the sector in Uganda to exploit the existing potential. The study seeks to answer the following question: What are the impediments to the sector and what should be done to achieve full potential? The study adopts three approaches to conduct the study: desk review, key informants interviews and secondary data analysis. Results suggest that in comparison to the rest of the EAC partner states, specifically Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda invests less in the sector, realizes less income, spends less on marketing, has relatively higher inadequacies in infrastructure facilities and attracts smaller number of visitors. The sector situation analysis reveals that although a lot of effort has been put in the sector in the last decade, more is required to make it more competitive regionally. It is recommended that more resources are invested both by the public and private sectors, the sector management is extended fully to district level, a tourism information data and management system is put in place, product development is prioritized, requisite infrastructure are developed and the human resource subsector is reformed to match with the sector demands.