President Yoweri Museveni will be chief guest at the 5th Annual Uganda Hotels and Restaurants Expo 2017 that will be held at Hotel Africana from August 4-6, 2017.
The expo is organised by the Uganda Hotels and Restaurants Association in partnership with Ministry of Tourism, the Uganda Tourism Board, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the National Culinary Association.
To be held under the theme: ‘Promoting the local hospitality, tourism industry and business investments in Uganda’, the expo will be attended by among others representatives from government ministries and agencies, hotel owners, suppliers and sector investors.
The annual expo helps to promote and market services and products of
the Ugandan hospitality industry.
“Business owners, C.E.O, hotel owners and other stakeholders will discuss how to grow and promote business investments in the hospitality industry. There will be cooking competitions for chefs. Waiters and waitresses will compete as they demonstrate their ability, skill and precision … while racing against the clock.” One of the organisers said.
There will also be an eating competition reserved for members of the
public in celebration of the rich variety of foods on display.
“The participants will have a specific amount of time to eat a set meal.
Sources say the Awards Ceremony will be held for best chef, best
waiters/waitresses relay team and best exhibitor,” the organizer added.
Hospitality industry records show that Uganda has over 3000 hotel establishments with over 20,000 and 30,000 rooms and beds respectively, with national average room rate slightly over shs30,000. The industry contributes annual revenue of over shs40 billion to the national coffers with the national average room occupancy approximated at 28%. Central regional-Kampala, Jinja and Entebbe room occupancy is at approximated at 50% whereas average room and bed occupancy range between 30 – 40%.
The sector employs over 16,000 persons, equally split between men and women.
Approximately, according to reports, 90% of the hotels and restaurants are owned by private sector against 10% public aided, but major hotels are owned by a few individuals and are managed through hotel chains. Uganda’s hotels are currently referred to as luxury, mid-range and budget facilities mainly based on room price tags and self class
awards.
Industry analysis
Experts say majority hotels in Uganda do not meet the international
standards of excellence with regard to design and service standards.
But hotels in the central region generally offer acceptable services,
though those in protected areas such as parks are perceived as good
but expensive with less variety.
On the positive side experts say the labour market for country’s hotel
sector has brighter prospect than ever before, characterized by labor
mobility, increase in skilled labor, labor diversity, non-traditional
markets.
The experts add that improvement can be undertaken at industry
level by government and at individual enterprise level to enhance
labour force that is key for increased productivity and sector
profitability.
Watchers also point out that many workers in the local hotel industry
enter without formal qualification and yet many desire to lead a
fruitful career there. This, experts say, impacts negatively on service
delivery.
Reports show that Uganda’s hotel sector is currently unable to attract
and retain good talent that can manage, sustain and grow hotel
investments that are oriented to offering branded services. “To do so,
industry must move towards providing good working conditions to all
categories of hotel workers,” a recent report says.
Experts warn that any delay in the improvement of Uganda’s hotel
sector labour market will hamper the overall sector yield and directly
affect Uganda’s image.
