Chairman Simba Group Bitature tips youth entrepreneurs on how to reap big from the tourism ventures
Drake Nyamugabwa
The Chairman Simba Group Dr Patrick Bitature who graced the Ekkula Tourism Awards 2022 has provided a definitive grounding for creating and managing tourism-related ventures especially hotels and other travel and other services underpinning the various concepts and business tips associated with the lucrative business and demonstrating the linkages of an entrepreneurship mind with the tourism industry.
Simba Group’s industry includes Business Support Services, Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokes , Activities Related to Credit Intermediation, Business services, Real estate agents and managers Financial services, hotels among others.
Themed” Rethinking Tourism and promoting green initiatives”
The 5th Edition of the prestigious Ekkula Tourism Awards held on Thursday 1st December 2022 at Sheraton hotel, attracted tourism-related ventures such as hotels, bed and breakfast accommodations, travel agencies, restaurants, theme parks, event companies, resorts, tourist guides and tour operators, to mention a few.
Dr. Patrick pictured with Tourism Queens above, encouraged the youth entrepreneurs to join the tourism industry in order to reap fast returns on their investments that will take them to greater heights compared to other businesses.
He said that the beauty of Uganda coupled with the increasing tourists’ love for leisure time has given a sharp rise to tourism, which resulted in the rapid development of tourism-related ventures and has made it easy to market Uganda as a tourist destination.
“Uganda is the most beautiful country. Everything marketed in tourism in Africa is found in Uganda, the weather, highest mountains, history, the diversity of flora, there is so much potential” he told the tourism winners
The Chairman while giving the award of best Sustainable Tour Operator to Matooke Tours underscored that if the tourism ventures are planned well with a good marketing team, goals, and discipline among others, can earn foreign exchange with minimal investment urging Uganda to spearhead tourism marketing.
“I encourage young people to join the tourism business. Visisonalise your goals. I needed that to be at the top of the hill. Attract people who can sell” he said
On the sidelines of the award event, Dr Bitature in an interview added: “Don’t depend on others to tell our story. People don’t understand why foreigners pay so much to visit Uganda. It’s so exhilarating to find a gorilla for the natural breath feeling the bode experiences” he elaborated
Hon. Evelyn Anite- State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatizatio, who won the award of Best New Hotel of the year for L’Hotel Confindetiele’ Arua said that when joining the hotel business, she realized that she could do more away from politics and that for the one year she has spent in this venture, she was excited to receive an award.
“Don’t limit your abilities, look at who you are. We need to market Uganda as we invest in peace. I realized I could do a lot more after politics in Koboko” she said
Among the winners of The 5th Edition of the prestigious Ekkula Tourism Awards includes:
· The best Adventure Destination of the Year Award to Mountain Rwenzori National Park
· The winner in the category Exceptional Restaurant 2022 to Café JAVAS.
· The winner in the category of User Friendly Transport of the year to MV. BROVAD
· The winner in the category of Sustainable Tour Operator to Matoke Tours
· The winner in the category of best Luxury and Business Hotel 2022 to KAMPALA SHERATON HOTEL
· The winner in the category of Best Wildlife Ranger Guide 2022 to Allen Uwihoreye (Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area)
· The winner in the category of Best Eco-Safari Lodge 2022 to NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE
· The winner in the category of Outstanding Tour Guide 2022 to BRIAN ASHLE
· The winner in the category of Outstanding Tourism Personality 2022 to Mr. AMOS WEKESA
· The winner in the category of Outstanding Young Tourism Personality 2022 to MUKIGA TRAVELER
· The winner in the category of Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur to JOHN HUNWICK (RWENZORI TREKKING SERVICES)
· The Winner in the category of Supportive Media House 2022 to NBS TELEVISION
· The winner in the category of Travel Photographer of the Year 2022 to DERRICK SSENYONYI (Vibe Photography)
· The winner in the category of Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award 2022 to ENDIRO café
