Organisation of Tourism Activities and the Participation of Local Communities and Private Sector in Tourism Planning, Management and Development: A Case Study of Uganda

The purpose of study was to assess the organization of tourism activities and promotion of the participation of the local communities and the private sector in tourism planning, management and development. The study was prompted by the fact that tourism organization and participation of private sector was far below expectation of the stake holders. Uganda was chosen as a case study. Purposively selected primary data sources were Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Uganda Tourism Board, The Uganda Association of Travel Agents, airliners, travel agents and tour operators, hoteliers, site operators, communities and tourists. Data were collected from these respondents using questionnaires. Results indicate that the overall organization (45.8%) and the participation of the private sector and the local community (48.5%) are still low and inadequate. Accordingly, strategies to improve the organization and participation are proposed.