Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism on Mt Moroto – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Kara-Tunga visited its community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
Immersed in this land of warrior nomads at the Tour of Karamoja – The past more than 40 days have been of little or no rest, and still counting… Despite the unprecedented times, the last 7 days found Brian O O Jonathan and I covering the incredible Tour of Karamoja – Bike Event 2020 🚴 …
Update: Karamoja takes the crown for Miss Tourism Uganda! (Read the article) One of our objectives is to preserve Karimojong Cultural Heritage through tourism and in collaboration with likeminded organisations. Therefore we partnered up with Miss Tourism Karamoja to contribute in enhancing the knowledge on culture of our future tourism ambassadors.
Motorbike Safari through Uganda’s Karamoja land – The Dutch couple Mandy and Peter travelled a week through Karamoja land and drove their motorbikes through the savannah planes and volcanic ranges. We had the pleasure to guide them through our homeland and gave them a taste of our untouched culture and true African wilderness.
Video: Impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism on Mt Moroto – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Kara-Tunga visited its community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
The tools are: Karamoja Tourism Academy (practical skilling), Discover Karamoja (regional tourism marketing), Kara-Tunga Tours (regional tour operator)
Community school campaign
Group sponsored girl to secondary school
Related Posts
Immersed in this land of warrior nomads at the Tour of Karamoja
Immersed in this land of warrior nomads at the Tour of Karamoja – The past more than 40 days have been of little or no rest, and still counting… Despite the unprecedented times, the last 7 days found Brian O O Jonathan and I covering the incredible Tour of Karamoja – Bike Event 2020 🚴 …
Apana a Mount Moroto! Tough Hike with Stunning Views
We received three energetic young travellers from Latvia (www.pair4ideas.com) for a guided tour through Karamoja and climbing Mount Moroto.
Official partner of Miss Tourism Karamoja
Update: Karamoja takes the crown for Miss Tourism Uganda! (Read the article) One of our objectives is to preserve Karimojong Cultural Heritage through tourism and in collaboration with likeminded organisations. Therefore we partnered up with Miss Tourism Karamoja to contribute in enhancing the knowledge on culture of our future tourism ambassadors.
Motorbike Trip through Karamoja and Turkana land on Warrior Nomad Trail
Motorbike Safari through Uganda’s Karamoja land – The Dutch couple Mandy and Peter travelled a week through Karamoja land and drove their motorbikes through the savannah planes and volcanic ranges. We had the pleasure to guide them through our homeland and gave them a taste of our untouched culture and true African wilderness.