The National Geographic– an international travel channel affiliated to the National Geographic Society has named Uganda among the top 20 global tourist destinations in the coming year 2013.

Kampala / NationalTurk – The lonely planet named Uganda as the best travel destination for 2012 and placed Ethiopia in the first 10 countries to be visited in 2012 but National Geographic listed Uganda among the top 20 countries worthy of visit in 2013.

The tourism industry in East Africa is gradually warming up to where it belongs as international tourism agencies have been keeping an eye in the region in recent times than any other part on the Africa continent.

“The pride of Uganda’s tourism lies in the undisturbed green nature that welcomes you the moment you land in Uganda whether by air, water, land or any means of transportation,” stated the National Geographic in a statement issued to the press in Kampala.

“Getting out of the city will be a rewarding experience with a variety of bird species, wildlife, and the rare mountain gorillas that have been ‘a hot cake’ to Uganda”, the statement added.

All major stakeholders in the tourism industry including the Ugandan Government lauded the statement by the National Geography describing it as a true reflection of what is happening in the tourism industry in the country.

Lillian Nsubuga, the Public Relations Manager of the Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA told allAfrica that Uganda’s tourism industry is gaining visibility, but aggressive marketing is needed to explore and expand its rich nature.

“As UWA there has been a big campaign to participate in the international world travel market, so, many people know about Uganda, but we need more aggressiveness,” said Nsubuga.

Many analysts in the country who are having keen interest in the tourism sector shared the view that rapid growth of the sector can be achieved faster through foreign investment and local firms that have the requisite capital to invest.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa Tourism News

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