Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 59,186
- 79,381
Uganda, Tanzania to scramble for East Asian tourism market
Japan, China and the Gulf States are attracting the attention of East African countries
by John Green
November 12, 2018
Chinese tourists
The battle is on for the scramble for the tourism market in East Asia, majorly in Japan and China.
Both Uganda and Tanzania are looking to lure the Chinese and Japanese investors to their tourism sector as the industry continues to get more competitive. The two countries have recorded significant tourism revenues and now bet on the industry to economically improve the state of their States.
The government of Uganda is willing to increase the number of public relations firms to market its industry in Japan and China as well as the Gulf States that include Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Parliament has invested over $1.5 million in tourism marketing, and there are good returns already.
The emerging tourism market in China has caught the attention of these two parties looking to have a significant share of the market. Prof Ephraim Kamuntu of Uganda said, “With the Americas, the increase in tourist arrivals is 17 percent. That is why we are increasing the number from three to six public relations firms. About 130 million Chinese go out as tourists so what if we got 1 percent coming here? Japan too and Gulf states such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have people who have money to spend.”
For the past three years, tourism merged to be the country’s highest foreign exchange earner overtaking foreign remittances. According to trading economics, the stats record that Tourist Arrivals in Uganda increased from 1323 Thousand in 2016 to record an all-time high of 1449 Thousand in 2017. In 2016, the sector contributed $1.35 billion into Uganda’s export basket.
In the same year, Kenya raked in $989 million with the following year recording a 20.3 percent growth to $1.2 million in tourism revenue. The international arrivals went up by 9.8 percent to 1.4 million from the previous year’s 1.3 million. The inauguration of Nairobi – New York direct flights should boost the tourism sector, especially from the U.S.
On the other hand, Tanzania has involved itself in exhibitions to market its tourism sector as well. The Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) took part in both China and the United Kingdom exhibitions recently as part of its marketing strategy. In the East African region, Tanzania is most competitive in the tourism sector. Its dominance is as a result of the efforts of the government organization and its wealth of tourist attraction sites.
TTB arranged a tour during its participation in the Chinese exhibition to Shanghai and Beijing as part of its marketing campaign. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the combined Chinese tourists’ expenditure exceeded $261 billion in 2016.
As the market grows wider, East African countries forecast business potentials to venture. Uganda could have a cutting edge on the Gulf states as well to stiffen the competition.
Uganda, Tanzania to scramble for East Asian tourism market
Japan, China and the Gulf States are attracting the attention of East African countries
by John Green
November 12, 2018
Chinese tourists
The battle is on for the scramble for the tourism market in East Asia, majorly in Japan and China.
Both Uganda and Tanzania are looking to lure the Chinese and Japanese investors to their tourism sector as the industry continues to get more competitive. The two countries have recorded significant tourism revenues and now bet on the industry to economically improve the state of their States.
The government of Uganda is willing to increase the number of public relations firms to market its industry in Japan and China as well as the Gulf States that include Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Parliament has invested over $1.5 million in tourism marketing, and there are good returns already.
The emerging tourism market in China has caught the attention of these two parties looking to have a significant share of the market. Prof Ephraim Kamuntu of Uganda said, “With the Americas, the increase in tourist arrivals is 17 percent. That is why we are increasing the number from three to six public relations firms. About 130 million Chinese go out as tourists so what if we got 1 percent coming here? Japan too and Gulf states such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have people who have money to spend.”
For the past three years, tourism merged to be the country’s highest foreign exchange earner overtaking foreign remittances. According to trading economics, the stats record that Tourist Arrivals in Uganda increased from 1323 Thousand in 2016 to record an all-time high of 1449 Thousand in 2017. In 2016, the sector contributed $1.35 billion into Uganda’s export basket.
In the same year, Kenya raked in $989 million with the following year recording a 20.3 percent growth to $1.2 million in tourism revenue. The international arrivals went up by 9.8 percent to 1.4 million from the previous year’s 1.3 million. The inauguration of Nairobi – New York direct flights should boost the tourism sector, especially from the U.S.
On the other hand, Tanzania has involved itself in exhibitions to market its tourism sector as well. The Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) took part in both China and the United Kingdom exhibitions recently as part of its marketing strategy. In the East African region, Tanzania is most competitive in the tourism sector. Its dominance is as a result of the efforts of the government organization and its wealth of tourist attraction sites.
TTB arranged a tour during its participation in the Chinese exhibition to Shanghai and Beijing as part of its marketing campaign. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the combined Chinese tourists’ expenditure exceeded $261 billion in 2016.
As the market grows wider, East African countries forecast business potentials to venture. Uganda could have a cutting edge on the Gulf states as well to stiffen the competition.
Uganda, Tanzania to scramble for East Asian tourism market
