The recent declaration of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda has sent shockwaves through the tourism industry, with tour operators experiencing massive cancellations and financial losses. The Ministry of Health recently announced that a nurse at Mulago had succumbed to the virus while several people had been isolated.
Uganda’s tourism sector, one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earners, has been recovering slowly but steadily from the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Ebola outbreak has reversed this progress, with tour operators facing significant setbacks. Industry players say billions of shillings in potential revenue have already been lost due to mass cancellations by international travelers.
Peter Mubiru from Edka Safaris and Adventures, a tour operator, said the outbreak has caused immediate damage to his business.
“I had a group of 20 tourists from Germany who were supposed to arrive this month, but they all canceled their reservations. Clients are afraid of traveling to Uganda because of Ebola, even though the outbreak is in a few districts. We have already lost over $15,000 in expected revenue,” he said.
Similarly, Sarah Namutebi, another operator said her business was in distress as many clients had withdrawn their bookings for gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
“We rely heavily on international tourists, but since the outbreak was announced, more than 60% of our confirmed bookings for the next three months have been canceled. The losses are overwhelming,” Namutebi explained. “Even though the government assures us that the situation is under control, travelers are taking no chances.”
Bigger impact
It is not just tour operators who are feeling the pinch. Hotels, lodges, and transport services that depend on tourists are also reporting significant losses.
Robert Tuwangye, a safari guide , says that the trickle-down effect is devastating.
“We have drivers, guides, and local communities that depend on tourism. With no visitors coming in, people are losing jobs, and incomes are dwindling. I personally had five upcoming safaris, all of which have been canceled. If this outbreak continues, many of us might have to shut down our businesses.”
An industry player told Bbeg Media that billions of shillings could have been lost as a result of these cancellations.
Last year Uganda’s tourism earnings were reported to be $1bn, a drop from the $1.6bn recorded in 2019, before Covid-19 hit. The earnings were an indicator that the sector was slowly recovering.
That is why despite the challenges, some tour operators remain hopeful that the situation will improve if the outbreak is contained quickly.
Jackson Mugisha, a birder, urged the government to step up efforts to restore confidence in the tourism sector.
“We need clear communication from the government and health officials to assure travelers that not all parts of Uganda are affected. We also need strong international PR campaigns to counter the negative perception about travel to Uganda,” Mugisha suggested.
“If we don’t act fast, the damage to the tourism sector could take years to repair.”
The Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Health have intensified efforts to contain the outbreak, urging travelers not to cancel their trips to areas unaffected by Ebola. However, tour operators argue that more needs to be done to protect the industry from further losses.
For now, the tourism sector remains in turmoil, with thousands of jobs and businesses at risk. Unless swift action is taken to contain the outbreak and reassure travelers, Uganda’s tourism industry may face its most challenging period since the Covid-19 pandemic.