Launch Karamoja Tourism and Hospitality Association

Karamoja regional tourism and hospitality stakeholders celebrate the launch of ‘Karamoja Tourism and Hospitality Association’, aimed at a community-led and sustainable tourism sector in the Karamoja sub-region of northern Uganda.

Background

The idea for a regional tourism and hospitality association was born during he 3rd Karamoja Tourism Coordination Platform that took place in April . The meeting was attended by district local government representatives, government conservation agencies and private sector stakeholders. They discussed whats needed to tap into the regional tourism opportunities and mitigate the challenges. The most anticipated action point was the development of an association to:

• Providing policy frameworks
• Providing mapping of tourism potential sites and activities (profiling)
• Coordination with all the stakeholders PPP2
• Sensitising of the local community about tourism and conservation of biodiversity
• Creation of regional tourism and hospitality private sector platform
• Advocating and attracting more partners
• Capacity building of tourism and hospitality stakeholders
• Financial support
• Peace building
• Public relations, marketing and advertising
• Improvement of infrastructure
• Product development, diversification and specialisation

Structure

Due to the size of the Karamoja sub-region – comparable to the country Belgium – Its decided to have a decentralised approach. Therefore an interim committee has been initiated, with representatives of all 9 districts. These representatives are tasked to create a district tourism and hospitality committees, wherefrom a chosen representative will be present in the regional association.

These district tourism and hospitality committees will include: private sector, local government, conservation agencies, development partners, community groups, traditional leaders and opinion makers.

During the 4th Karamoja Tourism Coordination Platform meeting, the participants developed the foundation of the new association during a series of group work and discussions. Read the draft name, vision, mission, objectives and values of the new association below.

 

Name

Karamoja Tourism and Hospitality Association

Vision

To be a leading tourist destination that is sustainable and respectful for people, cultures and environment.

Mission

To promote tourism and hospitality products and services for sustainable development, through capacity building, conservation of nature and cultural heritage.

Objectives

• To build the capacity of stakeholders to improve the quality of products and services
• To market Karamoja as a tourist destination (inter)nationally
• To promote protection and preservation of cultural heritage
• To involve, sensitise and build capacity of the community
• To promote environmental conservation

Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Team work
• Transparency & Accountability
• Respect

 

The meeting was supported by Enabel Uganda and hosted by Kara-Tunga Foundation.