Increasing Demand for Gorilla Tourism on the Rise

 

Gorilla revenues have risen from zero shilling in 1990 to Ug Shs 6.6 billion (about$3.3 million) from gorilla permits alone in 2008, accounting for 50.4% of the internally generated revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority.

 

While launching the year of the Gorilla 2009 last Friday UWA Executive Director Moses Mapesa said the figures are bound to rise to UShs 10 billion (about $5.1 million )  when they add a new gorilla groups to be habituated .The tourism industry contributed over US$450 million in 2008 of which gorilla tourism alone  was responsible for $225 million. Mapesa warned communities in the gorilla areas of south western Uganda to stop adopting the touristic animals as domestic pets.

 

Uganda gorillas   have proven to be playing a strong role in tourism development and have marketed the country as a globally competitive tourist destination .At the moment the industry accounts for 17% of available job opportunities countrywide.

 

Officiating at the function Uganda’s state minister for Trade and Tourism Mr GaggawalaWambuzi said there s no effective legal framework to ensure that gorillas are protected  Wambuzi said gorilla habitats are surrounded by communities (people )who still think they can improve their lives  economically through destroying the environment . Gorillas are also vulnerable to human diseases which have posed a major threat to the most valuable animal in the tourism industry. The reason for celebrating The Year Of The  Gorillas stems from the fact that they are globally endangered live in a fragile habitat are vulnerable to human disease infections and are often adversely affected by armed conflicts.   

Uganda has more than 50%  of mountain gorillas still surviving in the wild. These can be viewed in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  and Mgahinga national parks all located in the southern west of the country.

By Fred Bukenya