Tourism Business leaders recognized at Ekkula Awards 2022 as EU affirms continued support to the sector.

The 5th Edition of the prestigious Ekkula Tourism Awards held on Thursday 1st December 2022 at Sheraton hotel, recognized various sector players in 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.

The theme was: Rethinking Tourism, the Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards,

The Ekkula award ceremony was powered jointly y the tourism ministry, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Bella Wines, TalentAfrica, Miss Tourism Uganda, the media, the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Airlines, Explore Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda Hotel Owners Association and the European Union among others.

During the Tourism Awards, the European Union Head of Delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Jan Sadek, reiterated EU's commitment to supporting one of Uganda's leading earning sectors so as to create more jobs and boost economic growth.

Ambassador Sadek pictured above noted that while the tourism sector is one of the leading foreign exchange earners for Uganda's economy and plays an important role in the livelihoods of many ordinary citizens, the negative shocks and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic were still present, and require collective action.

“Tourism sector revenues were greatly affected by the COVID-19- pandemic, along with travel and lockdown restrictions that followed. The path to recovery is long and arduous. On this journey, Uganda can still count on the support of the European Union. We are grateful for the work that the Government of Uganda is doing to enhance our partnerships,” Ambassador Sadek said.

To support the recovery of the tourism sector, Ambassador Sadek said that the EU in partnership with Uganda Development Bank launched at the end of 2020 a recovery fund of 16 million euros to support businesses in the tourism sector in form of soft loans combined with grants.

“This Facility is intended to give operators access to working capital to fast-track recovery post-Covid-19, and support initiatives to become more environmentally friendly. We are also developing programmes that support biodiversity, majorly looking at the protected areas, climate change, and support to tourism host communities,” he said.

Chairman Simba Group Bitature tips youth entrepreneurs on how to reap big from the tourism ventures

The Chairman Simba Group Dr Patrick Bitature speaks at the Ekkla Tourism Awards at Sheraton

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.

Dr. Patrick pictured 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

Hon. Evelyn Anite (L) above- 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

Hon. Evelyn Anite- State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatizatio, who is the proprietor of the hotel received the award of the hotel 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

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 

L’Hotel Le Confindetiel above according to the minister is owned in partnership with the husband. She after receiving the award that there is need to make Uganda in the midst of the peaceful environment to earn foreign exchange which she says is the biggest earner.

The hotel serving 24 hrs offers 34 self-contained luxurious rooms with the best amenities. Each room / suite has a balcony overlooking the green vegetation of Eruba  ideal choice for those who want a quiet atmosphere, close to business center (Arua) and offers affordable rates.

Among other 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