Bankers ought to feasibly understand the viability to Tourism. This report compiled by Kiweewa Bernard the Academy's director helps bankers to understand the role of tourism in their business and the reverse.
Good Stuff Happens in 1:1 Meetings: Why you need them and how to do them well
Bank Services For Tourism Development Report 2010
1. AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY (ATRA) LTD.
BANK SERVICES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM
INVESTMENT.
001/JAN/2010
A PURE RESEARCH COMPILED BY AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY
(ATRA)LTD. TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INVESTMENT IN UGANDA.
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Table of contents:
Research Topic……………………………………………………………………………………………………… …. 3
Proponent Information……………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Project Cost and Duration………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Participating Organisations………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Executive Summery………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Objectives of the Research. ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Background of the Research……………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Sample Location of the Research………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Research Questions………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Justification of the Research. …………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Respondents’ Views of the topic………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Recommendations from ATRA ………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Risks of the Research………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Staffing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Proposal Budget …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Budget Summery…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Early Questionnaire Answers …………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Self Administered questionnaire to Banks. ……………………………………………………………… 17
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3. AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY (ATRA) LTD.
BANK SERVICES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM
INVESTMENT.
Date of proposal: 1 Dec 2009
The African Tourism Research Academy (ATRA) is an organization based on tourism and
business market research. ATRA missions to provide Africa’s most credible tourism related
research and information that enhances sustainable tourism idea generation, entrepreneurial
effort, wildlife species protection and poverty alleviation in Africa.
PROPONENT INFORMATION
Name Kiweewa Bernard – Researcher
Organisation African Tourism Research Academy (ATRA) Ltd.
Address Ntinda P.O.Box 33930 Kampala.
Phone +256-712-524370 or +256-702-524373
Email atra.org@gmail.com
Website sunseekers.com/atra
PROJECT COST AND DURATION
Total project cost : Ushs 3,170,000
Funding partly facilitated by ATRA Ltd: Ushs 250,000
Funding requested from Participating Respondents: Ushs 2,925,000
Project duration: 3 months.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:
The African Tourism Research Academy Ltd.
Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA)
DFCU Bank Uganda
Crane Bank Uganda.
Uganda Tourism Association (UTA)
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Association Of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO)
Kenya Commercial Bank KCB
Uganda Investment Authority (UIA)
Classification of project
Category: Tourism Investment and Marketing
Type of Organsation: Tourism Research Company.
Geographic Location of proposed Project: Uganda, Kenya.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
An undoubted endowment composition of Uganda’s natural, built and reserved tourism
attracts investment that have yielded over…………to Uganda,s GDP. Several
Information sources, elucidate Uganda as a very prospective area for tourism
investment. ((((((Information on tourism investment.))))) ATRA seeks to enhance
dialogue between the Tourism investors and the Banks in order to find solutions to the
fears and risks of tailored banking between the sectors.
OVERALL GOAL OF THE PROJECT:
To seek the enacting of Banks’ policies that avail tailored marketing and loan solutions
for tourism investors as an incentive to raise and sustainably invest capital to
successfully operate in the tourism industry.
OTHER OBJECTIVES;
1. To identify the sources of tourism investor’s capital.
2. To determine what services tourism investors need of their banks
3. To establish what services are readily offered by banks to the tourism developers
and
4. To establish what services banks can negotiate and offer to registered tourism
association members.
5. To identify the limiting factors in the collaboration between banks and tourism
investors.
6. To monitor the success of the bank services according to the tourism industry
marketing trends.
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BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
57 years ago today, the government at that time gazetted the first national park-
Murchison Falls ( Kabalega National Park) to protect and market its historical
endowment of wildlife as commended by Sir Winston Churchill the historical explorer
hence branding Uganda the Pearl of Africa.
Government being the first investor into the then Uganda Hotels with examples of;
Masindi Hotel (1923), White Hoese Inn Kabaale, the Apoka Lodge (1950), Paraa and
Mweya Safari Lodges among others, government later then allowed privatization and
liberalization where more investors could set up lodges and also tour companies sowed
in the industry.
Banks have also passed through the same opportunity hole of the privation and
liberalization policies as investors continue to invest in Uganda’s rejuvenating industrial
development. Over 20 registered banks and several credit schemes are now operating
in the Ugandan Market today serving over 5 million people.
There are over 300 Ugandan registered tour operators whose aim is to succeed in the
quest and maximize profits from tourist trends from all over the world. Unfortunately
most companies or investors have failed to sustain themselves in the business due to
various reasons among which the capital rate of return seems practically unpredictable.
Some investors blame failure on the speculative nature of the business. However, many
tour operators have managed to succeed in just a short period of time and their failure is
attributed to several factors among which insufficient funds for sustainable business
reinvestment tops the list.
This research study digs deep to analyse what limits banks from offering tailored
services to the tourism industry and click a strategy between Tourism operators at
different levels (ie. Tour company developers, Safari lodge owners Hotel Owners, and
potential investors, Community accommodation project developers among the like), and
Banks to reach a win-win scenario between the two entities.
SAMPLE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT;
The project is to take effect in Uganda and the sample location base is Institutions,
facilities and Tour Operations in Kampala City and the findings are to embed impact of
the research on facilities in the towns of; Kasese, Masindi, Mbale, Gulu, Kalangala, and
Fort Portal.
The project will engage banks, DFCU, KCB, Crane Bank, Standard Chartred, East
Africa Development Bank these will act as samples whose data will reflect information
expected from other banks in the East Africa.
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The project will engage Tour companies in Uganda through the Association of Uganda
Tour Operators, AUTO, the Uganda Tourism Association UTA, Uganda Tourist Board
(UTB), the Uganda Hotel Owners Association UHOA representing hotels/Lodge
operators in Uganda.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Identify the services that banks offer to Tourism entrepreneurs.
2. Define the future prospects of Banks services towards tourism entrepreneurs
• Marketing sourcing
• Loans (interest)
• Customer surveillance
3. To determine what loans (types) tourism entrepreneurs are willing to partake.
4. To determine the role of associations in between the relationship of banks and
tourism players.
5. Can it be possible to have East African banks support Uganda’s hotels and tourism
associations in terms of loans and marketing niching?
JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The demystifying state of what the entrepreneurs have in mind before they secure loans
has many anomalies. One of these anomalies is how they can/will pay back the loan
and what security will be placed in case of failure to pay the loan.
In this project, the African Tourism Research Academy seeks the innovative support of
Banks in strategically aiding the sustainability of the Tourism business and in particular,
tour companies, hoteliers, and lodge investors.
Statistically, 200 Hotel owners and over 100 Tour Operators are registered in the UHOA
and AUTO respectively. Among these are large firms employing over 300 people,
medium and small businesses. The businesses are all determined to thrive even in the
hardest of times for reputation’s sake. These businesses are a gross potential of market
to bankers, better yet when combined in the umbrellas of associations.
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The market for tourism products, thanks to the available privatisation government policy
framework, National parks, cultural sites hotels and numerous activities attract a
number of clients. Some of these activities and attractions are dormant and soon do not
pause any entrepreneurial potential if not marketed to consumer targets.
Consumers of the products are targeted through the registered tour companies, and
Hotels which market through the internet i.e., websites, TV, and Exhibitions and trade
fares. But if such are too expensive to partake then entrepreneurs have to stand still
and use the little finances for the scopes of markets they can attend to.
According to this research, banks have a wide role to play in helping their customers to
target the consumers of their products by and tailoring services that go an extra mile to
pull customers and win their loyalty. For example, banks can charge lower interest rates
on loans to encourage sustainable development in the tourism sector.
Investors in tourism therefore could perform much better when their opportunities have
been widened by banks and in the same way, banks can yield long term profits and
more international trust from potential investors from different sectors of the economy.
Respondents’ views information;
According to the main aim of this research, interviews were made, consultations, and
questionnaires are in circulation and being gathered to provide a general perception of
the research among different players in the tourism and banking lines.
The data below has been compiled and scrutinized to provide baselines for the research
concluding workshop.
List of names to Questioned or Interviewed
Mr. Amos Wekesa President UTA
Mr. Aron Aguma Marketing DFCU
Miss Helen – Marketing Department - Standard Chartered Bank
Marketing Department KCB
Mr. Lawrence Lubanga- Marketing Coordinator Crane Bank
The EU Delegation Uganda
Miss Hilda from the Association of Uganda Tour Operators.
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1. Interview with Mr. Amos Wekesa, President UTA.
The majority banking sector staff has little understanding about tourism. This limits the
development of tourism where, operators find difficulty in identifying which bank to rely
on in terms of assistance.
Question about the Sources of capital;
Tourism entrepreneurs use personal property to put up structures and facilities. The
banking sector needs to be fed with various articles commending the tourism progress
in the country(Uganda)so as to increase entrepreneur’s sources of capital.
The government of Uganda also needs more enlightenment about the profitability of the
tourism sector and its contribution to the GDP through articles and advertisement within
the press.
Banker’s perception about Tourism services;
Bankers tend to value profitability made from tangible goods more than the intangible
services. In this case, it is the tourism services that won’t visibly yield profit to the
bankers.
Banks should seek tourism information to understand the origin and progress of tourism
in this way they will enhance advice to clients.
Quality service;
Tour operators through their association and operations need to emphasize on quality
standards of service production in order to win banks trust and legibility to qualify for
extra bank services.
Organization in the Tourism Associations umbrella;
- There is a need for more dialogue between bankers and tour operators to share
different opinions about the benefits of cooperation between the two sectors.
Aspects of solidarity and bargaining power of tourism associations can be well
emancipated in the dialogues.
- When only a few bankers understand the potential yield from tourism, workshops
help to reinforce the fundamentals of tourism through which banks will understand
tour operators’ business.
- The high interest rates and pressure exerted by the banks limit entrepreneurs from
getting loans yet the associations are still very young and most members raise
capital from family and friends and through support from other businesses to sustain
themselves in within the tourism business.
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The impact of pricing on the general tourism yield to investors;
According to the most tourism entrepreneurs, the pricing of tourism products is fair
enough and should be able to be utilized by both local and foreign visitors.
The above pricing should hence attract more business investment with the support
of banks. Prices fixed on the attractions are indicators of the potential of the sector.
2. Interview with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators.(AUTO).
AUTO adds that banks have limited information on tourism and they therefore charge a
high interest on loans rendered to individual tourism operators.
The association does not/ has not engaged with banks in its associate with tour
operators but there are future prospects of negotiating low interest loans from selected
banks.
Since(Local) banks charge high interest rates(20-30%) on individual tour operator’s
loans, the operators have resorted to sourcing loans from banks and credit schemes
outside the country(Uganda) which charge a little over 5% on loans.
The association in its time of existence has not solved or intervened between Banks
and Tour operators/ members since the members keep their bank affairs personal and
independent from the association.
The association cannot guarantee support to members who have problems with Banks
since it is not informed about the members relationship with banks.
3. Mr. Laurance Lubanga – Crane Bank marketing coordinator CRANE BANK
Procedure of acquiring loans differs in several banks. According to Crane Bank, the
types of loans offered are dependent on the customer’s legibility in terms of
qualifications among which are
Customer for more than 6 months
Transacting sizable sums of money that could encourage the bank to offer loans
to the client.
Other incentives to the investors can be the use of Visa card where Tourists and
business people can access money using visa facility. In a way, it is easier for
upcountry lodges to access money from tourists who visit the attractions.
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Crane Bank has supported tourism as being part of the Imperial hotels’ umbrella
investment e.g. Kabira, Munyonyo and the like. The bank has also been part of the City
Tyre Gorilla Rally in which local marketing of the Gorillas has been extensively done by
the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Crane bank is positive with the idea of Tourism Associations and is willing to offer
support to their cause. The bank is positive to support activities in that bring economic
importance and yield to the bank.
4. Mr. Aron Aguma DFCU Bank Uganda.
Banking and marketing for the Tourism niches
- Banks need to first establish how much they can earn out of such investment as
tourism marketing niches.
- How will the bank’s services be boosted by inflows from working with tourism.
There is a need of proposal fine tuning for example through analysis of different
research (e.g. this research on “Bank services for Tourism investment”).
The risks/ fears arising from loaning a seasons and speculation prone tourism
sector;
o The Tourism sector is like the agriculture sector because of the seasons
effect. But the Banks would like to invest in sectors where there is sure
security over the risk.
o The evaluation of Bank’s risk policy by the central bank authority (Bank of
Uganda) insufficient and unreliable securities that backup the loans borrowed
by individual companies in cases of seasonal and force majeure factors
comprise of the major fears of investing in tourism Loans.
o Hotels are seasonal and are not doing well in Uganda.
The question of Associations and their bargaining power;
- If associations can ably secure the individual companies in securing loans, then
banks will have a secure way of supporting Associations. Associations should be
able to keep their members in good reputation so as to keep a formidable security
and sustainable relationship with the banks.
- Banks in general have a negative experience on the stability of associations in that
their policies on banking have not been recognised if any.
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- The Bank’s interest rates on loans offered to the operators in the tourism sector are
high, not because of the profit maximization need, but because the individuals and
their companies and even the associations do not have strong national policies
which the bankers can depend on when offering loan services. For example,
individuals do not have national ID’s that the bankers can use to monitor their clients
and the companies are not policed with licenses that can be revoked in case they fail
to deliver as agreed when acquiring loans.
- Banks need Equal terms in the negotiation with tourism associations.
The question about bankers’ awareness of tourism business;
- Mr. Aaron admitted the little exposure of tourism dynamics to banks.
- There is need of awareness to make the banks understand more about tourism for
example through the use of news paper articles and other informative advert articles.
- Information does a lot to reduce the effect of the negative domestic traveling culture
and hence ignites the trust and ensures that local people travel more.
- When people are more informed and detached from culture (indigenous) they will
travel more therefore Uganda’s modern culture gives tour operators an opportunity
to advertise more to the local metropolitan community.
- Putting market segmentation in practice will help operators to advertise to local
markets.
- Tour operator should endeavor to meet clients (local) where they work/ stay so as to
market the services offered to our local market.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY
1. Banks, like any domestic tourism concerned party, need to have a constant
(monthly) feedback on the several opportunities offered to tourism promoters in
terms of newsletters and info-sites.
• Observation: banks’ marketing staff has client targets to meet when
opening up accounts. This means their goal is to open up/hit the monthly
target.
• This way they account dealers should assist the sales/marketing
management to understand the clients’ need and hence the bank can
support the clients on an intimate relationship.
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2. Account application forms help the banks to know their clients. It is from this
stage that banks can analyze, monitor and follow up the clients so as to qualify
those who are legible for investment. In terms of loans, and marketing advise in
their businesses. The presence of tourism associations should make it easier for
banks to monitor and trust in their clients.
3. FNB Namibia (one of the most prominent bank in Windhoek – Namibia)
recognizes the vital role that tourism is playing in the development of the
Namibian economy and the bank is proud to be the first Namibian bank to show
commitment to the Tourism Industry by way of establishing a dedicated Tourism
Desk, wanting to make it our business to understand the industry's unique needs
and helping to grow our clients' tourism business.
• The bank’s dedicated team at the FNB Tourism Desk in Windhoek are
specialists in the fields of tourism operations and financial needs of the
tourism industry.
Key features & benefits of the Tourism FlexiLoan offered by the FNB
bank.
• Loan repayments are flexible and based on historical overview of
customer's peak inward cash flow periods.
• Maximum value is dependant on nature of assets being financed,
repayment term and projected cash flow available
• If prepaid deposits are made into the loan account, a drawdown can be
made against it
More specialized tourism solutions
1. Foreign Exchange
The tourism industry deals with visitors from abroad and requires specialist foreign
exchange solutions
Customer Foreign Currency Accounts (CFC)
• Tourism businesses can deposit and hold foreign currency for up to 90 days
before it has to be converted into local currency
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• CFC accounts can be held in US Dollars, Euros or GB Pounds and will earn
interest in that specific denominated currency
2. Speed points
Short Term Insurance
Insurance Brokers should offer flexible and affordable choice of insurance options
developed to address every conceivable setback across all tourism sectors.
Other specialized insurance covers can include;
• Passenger Liability, General Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, and
Mortality Insurance.
• Money, ie, the insurance Covers the loss of money through illegitimate
means.
• Insurance that covers for loss of, or damage to your business' vehicles,
accessories and spare parts Public Liability
• Covers against any damages for which the company could be held legally
liable due to accidental death, injury or illness of a client or employee, or
accidental loss of damage to their property
3. The Banks- Investor Brokerage Solution.
Hodges Ward Elliott (HWE) is a brokerage and investment banking
firm dedicated solely to the sale and financing of lodging
properties.
Since 1975, HWE developed a truly unique combination of focus and experience,
resulting in becoming the nation's leading hotel real estate brokerage and
investment banking firm. Focus on the lodging industry and history of successful
sales and financing transactions enabled HWE to meet the objectives of the widest
array of hospitality investors.
• HWE agents have a broad understanding of the forces which shape the
hospitality industry. Their depth of experience with the full spectrum of
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ownership and transaction structures has allowed the firm to successfully
negotiate transactions of all types, including portfolios, resorts, landmark
urban hotels, major suburban properties, individual mid-scale and budget
hotels, and mergers and acquisitions.
In conclusion therefore, the above solutions and many more can be the solutions
that bridge the gap between Banks and Tourism investments if analytically tested for
their practical implementation in today’s era.
RISKS OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
This research is carried out in Banks, Hotels and Tour Operators, each of which has
discrete information in their competitive world. In most cases, some information may not
be availed to the public or even to the cause of this research. This will therefore not only
delay the data collection process but also limit the findings of the entire research.
However, the research process will encourage dialogue between parties concerned to
discuss the findings in the research concluding workshop and even on an individual
consultation basis.
STAFFING
Position Role Name/Title M/F Country/Organization
Mr.Ismail Sekandi
Programme Uganda Hotel Owners
1. Project, Direction Executive Director M
Director Association
UHOA
Mr. Kiweewa, Bernard,
Uganda African Tourism
2. Project Leader Project Supervisor ATRA, Research M
Research Academy
Affiliate
Financial African Tourism
3. Project Admin
Accounting, Admin Research Academy
Miss Molly Mpiriirwe , F UTB
Steering Local Project
4. Mr. Amos Wekesa M UTA
Committee Direction
Mr. James Bahinguza M UTB
Mr. James Bahinguza M UTB
5. Tourism Advisor Advise Mrs. Grace Awulo F MTTI
6. Social Mobilizer Social mobilization ATRA Staff M/F ATRA
Field Data Mr. Derick Kigozi
7. Enumerators m ATRA
Collection Mr. Denis Turyagenda
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Proposal Budget.
Unit Allocated Proponent
Deliverable/Activity Amount Cost Subtotal cost Funding Other funding
DATA COLLECTION Shs % Shs %
Interviews 6 2000 12,000 20,000 20,000 100%
Quetionaires 20 300 6,000 30,000 30,000 100%
REPORT
Proposal 10 10000 100,000 100,000 30,000 30%
Final Report 10 15000 150,000 150,000 45,000 30%
Evaluation &
Consultation 20,000 20,000 100%
WORKSHOP 1
Venue National Theatre 1 300000 300,000 500,000
Invitations 50 2000 100,000 100,000
Lunch &Refreshments 20000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Presenters 4 800,000
Projector equip hire 2 100000 200,000 200,000 100,000 50%
Staff 5 50000 200,000 200,000
Stationary 50people 1000 50,000 50,000
Grand Total 3,170,000
Totals Funded 245,000 8%
Totals not yet funded 2,925,000 92%
Budget summery
Allocated Proponent Other Explanatory note.
Deliverable/Activity cost Funding funding
DATA COLLECTION Shs % Shs % From ATRA, a team of 3 enumerators are
being facilitated by the Company to deliver
questionnaires, follow them, Interview
Interviews 20,000 20,000 100% respondents and collect the questionnaires
in the sample area of Banks and the tourism
sector.
Questionnaires 30,000 30,000 100%
ATRA has allocated funding upto 30% of the
REPORT
cost of the proposal and the report. ATRA
requests For support from the stake holders
Proposal 100,000 30,000 30%
of the research to facilitate the remaining
70% on both the proposal and the final
Final Report 150,000 45,000 30% report. ATRA also has allocated 100%
Evaluation & transportation for the proposal evaluation.
Consultation 20,000 20,000 100%
WORKSHOP The workshop sums up the aim of the
research study where Banks and Tourism
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investors will be engaged in a dialogue.
One of the suggested venues will provide
enough and affordable space for the Banks
and Tourism investor’s dialogue. ATRA will
be delighted for any forwarded
sponsorships of the venue.
Venue National Theatre 500,000
50 representatives from the Tourism Sector
and the banks will be invited to share the
ideas from each party. However, each
attendee will pay a fee of Ushs 50,000 to
join the dialogue.
Invitations 100,000
Lunch will be provided to all attendees who
will have cleared the registration fees
above.
Lunch &Refreshments 1,000,000
Presenters are willingly expected from the
ATRA research Report, the banking sector
and the tourism associations.
Presenters 800,000
ATRA pledges 50% provision of the
Projector equipment and requested the
stake holders of the research to (through
sponsorship and registration) provide for
the other 50% of the presentation
equipment.
Projector equip hire 200,000 100,000 50%
In collaboration with the venue staff, ATRA
will provide the staff that will help in the
organization of the Workshop.
Staff 200,000
The needed stationary will provide easy
record taking for all attendees and data
organization for ATRA.
Stationary 50,000
Besides over head costs, the available
facilitation of this research from ATRA is
Grand Total 3,170,000
8%. Sponsorship and cooperation is needed
from the stake holders of this research and
Totals Funded 245,000 8% workshop to make it a success in covering
the 92%.
Totals not yet funded 2,925,000 92%
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Self administered questionnaire to Uganda Investment Authority UIA.
Miss Rebecca Namono, the Investment Executive - Market Research from the
Uganda Investment Authority
1. Please state ways in which your institution has enhanced tourism in East Africa.
UIA
- Promote and market investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
- Through the presidential investor Round table, the sector has prioritized for
improvement and resulted in many successes e.g. Tourism bill increasing finding to
UTB.
NTV
- By covering areas that have nice tourism sites and findings about nature i.e. Eco
Talk and sights and sounds.
- Prepaid advertisements through the sales and marketing department are showcased
on the broadcast and programmed as discussed with clients.
2. Have you heard of associations like; The Association of Uganda Tour Operators
(AUTO), The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA)? (These enforce best practices of
Tour Operators)
Yes
3. Some starting Tour Operators are scared away by high interest rates in sourcing
bank loans. What advice would you offer such investors?
They should pull their resources together and borrow from the pool at an agreeable
interest rate.
4. In what ways can the services of your institution promote/ encourage tour operators
to market through international trade fairs and exhibitions?
UIA is associated with the Uganda Tourist Board and Private Sector Foundation
Uganda among others when opportunities such as international trade fairs or
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business forums abroad cause we ask the said organizations to invite their
members.
NTV showcases the work of tour operators and creates awareness for them through
various programs.
5. What procedures should our Research Academy (ATRA) undertake to seek your
organisation’s support of such kind of research studies?
We prepare information profiles on tourism. These are available on the UIA website.
SELF ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRE
The African Tourism Research Academy (ATRA) is an organization based on tourism and
business market research. ATRA missions to provide Africa’s most credible tourism related
research and information that enhances sustainable tourism idea generation, entrepreneurial
effort, wildlife species protection and poverty alleviation in Africa.
We offer tailored Research Services, Short courses in Documentary making, Internet marketing
and Unlimited Tourism Safaris to both local and international groups.
In our first edition of research, we have embarked on enhancing Bank services towards Tourism
entrepreneurs in Uganda. We henceforth need the cooperation of your Organisation / Company
in collecting data to enable the success of our research. We believe that through this research
we can reach a desired win-win scenario between Banks and Tourism developers.
It is our ethical responsibility to observe and respectfully handle the data content given to us
with discrete instruction as given by respondents.
Topic: BANK SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABILE TOURISM INVESTMENT.
Research Questions to Bank Sales and Marketing as well as other institutions in the
tourism sector.
Organisation name……………………………………………………………………
6. What is your name?(Optional).
………………………………………………………………………………………
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7. What is your position in this organisation?
………………………………………………………………………………………
8. How do you rate your level knowledge about tourism? (tick one)
a. Not at all……………..
b. A little…………………
c. Satisfactory ………….
9. Please state ways in which your institution has enhanced tourism in East Africa.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Are there any services you directly offer to the tourism industry developers (Tour
operators, Safari Lodge developers among the like) for example Loans, marketing
consultation etc? Please list them below if any.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
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11. Have you heard of associations like; The Association of Uganda Tour Operators
(AUTO), The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA)? (These enforce best practices of
Tour Operators)
Yes…………..
No……………
12. If yes, would you trust and use such Associations in forwarding direct loan services
to individual member tour operators to specifically develop their tourism ventures?
Yes…………..
No……………
Please elucidate on your answer
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13. Some starting Tour Operators are scared away by high interest rates in sourcing
bank loans. What advice would you offer such investors?
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14. In what ways can the services of your institution promote/ encourage tour operators
to market through international trade fairs and exhibitions?
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21. AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY (ATRA) LTD.
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15. What procedures should our Research Academy (ATRA) undertake to seek your
organisation’s support of such kind of research studies?
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We gladly appreciate your cooperation.
We will inform your institution more about the 15th January 2010 workshop where the
full compilation of this research study will be unveiled publically.
BANK SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INVESTMENT WORKSHOP
The pre-researched baselines of presentation and discussion suggested by ATRA in
accordance with the Justifications of the above proposal include the following.
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22. AFRICAN TOURISM RESEARCH ACADEMY (ATRA) LTD.
Topic Suggested
Discussants.
Analysis of the guarantee that tourism investment is financially MTTI
feasible in Uganda/East Africa.
The role of associations in encouraging member bargaining AUTO, UTA,
power in sourcing affordable loans from banks. UHOA.
Discussion on the interest rates for tourism and Hotel Business BOU
loans.
Banks willingness to understand and invest in tourism niches Banks.
and loans.
This work shop will be open to all tourism stake holders and the registration fee is Ushs
50,000 for each person. The fee includes lunch. The workshop will take place on the
15th January 2010.
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