Impact of COVID-19 on the Hotels and Lodges in Uganda.
As a result of the worldwide lockdowns and travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has been hit particularly hard in Uganda. The country’s hotels and lodges rely heavily on domestic and international tourists for revenue, but many of these businesses have had to cancel or postpone their bookings as a result of the cancellations and postponements, and some have even frozen operations until the government of Uganda issues an official statement.
According to the most recent data from the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the country’s tourism industry had been experiencing fairly consistent growth over the past five years, with arrivals increasing by 19% from 1.27 million in FY2014/15 to 1.5 million in FY2018/19, or an average of 4% per year, compared to a global average of 3%. This was all before the Coronavirus COVID-19 hit. During the same time period, the number of tourists visiting Uganda for leisure purposes increased from 220,219 to 311,335—a 41.4% increase and a 7.1% compound yearly growth rate.
According to Jean Byamugisha, Executive Director of the Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association, there were around 6,000 registered accommodation facilities in Uganda offering 410,000 rooms and 487,000 beds by the end of the financial year 2018. This increase in tourism has attracted many investors to the hospitality industry in Uganda, who have set up various ranges of facilities throughout the major catchment areas of travelers. The hotel sector was expecting a further increase in room occupancy rates—from 38% to 51% before the exceptional COVID-19 outbreak—but the terrible coronavirus has caused cancellations, refunds, and losses.
Approximately 667,700 people found work in Uganda’s hotels and lodges in 2018. This sector accounts for 90% of the country’s tourism jobs, with 58% of those positions going to women and 77% to young adults (18–35 years old). Unfortunately, many of these workers have been laid off until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them vulnerable and potentially facing the loss of their jobs altogether.
What Ugandan hotels and lodges are telling their guests in the midst of Influenza virus 19
We must adhere to the measures prescribed by the World Health Organization and the Ugandan government in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, numerous travelers who had intended to visit Uganda have had to cancel their plans or ask for refunds because they are unable to travel. Many lodging establishments have had to promptly handle refunds due to the unusual nature of this epidemic, and some have even asked guests to rearrange their reservations at a later date.
How Ugandan lodging establishments are preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus
In light of the present danger that the Coronavirus poses to Uganda’s travel trade and tourism assets, including hotels and lodges, the Uganda Tourism Board has issued travel recommendations that these establishments must adhere to both during and after the coronavirus. The board’s recommendation is as follows:
There is soap available at all lodging establishments and on all transit vehicles and watercraft.
It is advised that lodging establishments have a supply of N95 masks on hand for their guests in order to enhance readiness.
It is highly suggested that all lodgings in Uganda urge visitors to bring their own masks (N95).
The best way for lodging establishments to reduce the risk of Coronavirus infection is to teach their employees and customers (visitors) how to take precautions.
Among these precautions are the following: not shaking hands or embracing one another; constantly washing hands with disinfectants; and routinely cleaning and sanitizing surfaces that are handled often, such door knobs.
After the Corona Virus, what’s in store for Uganda’s lodging establishments?
A lot of hotels and lodges in Uganda lost money because of the coronavirus, but once it’s out of the country, they’ll follow the guidelines set out by the World Health Organization and the Uganda Tourism Board when dealing with guests. We also predict that airlines and other service providers will offer steep discounts once the virus is out of the country, which will encourage more people to book rooms at discounted rates.
We will hold out hope that travelers who were planning to go would really go ahead and do it after the virus has passed, especially since the tourism industry has historically shown remarkable resilience in the face of several global crises and anxieties.
There has been a lot of talk among Ugandan hotels and lodges about re-engineering and re-inventing their operations during this slow period. For example, the travel and tourism industry as a whole is beginning to work together, local operators are beginning to see the value in sourcing travelers from domestic and regional markets, and there has been an uptick in the capacity of managers to handle business crisis recovery actions, content creation, and marketing.
There has also been an uptick in the capacity for managers to review operations, come up with better plans, improve facility designs and arrangements, reconfigure bedrooms, alter cuisine and menu items, and implement system changes to increase efficiency and boost competitiveness. Future contingency planning, new regulations, and cancellation policies are also in the works. Staff members are becoming more proficient in using virtual technology, and company websites are being upgraded.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, why should you choose Katland Safaris for your safari?
Safaris to Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are now part of Katland’s offerings, which originally began in 2011 with incredible experiences in Rwanda and Uganda. Our ability to curate unforgettable experiences is a product of the cohesive team we’ve built over the years, which includes both youthful and dynamic employees, as well as seasoned and dedicated directors and managers who are native Ugandans. If you get in touch with us, we’ll have someone on staff who can help you get reliable information quickly. Safari reservations and TripAdvisor both consistently give Katland Safaris excellent reviews and ratings.
