About Us - UTA
The UTA Mandate
• To serve as an industry apex body administering to the needs of its constituents and stakeholders at large
• To make tourism a government priority sector and source of pride to members and those they serve
• To improve the image and skills of this high profile sector through appropriate measures
• Provide a forum for discussion of policy issues
• Establish and maintain effective private / public sector partnerships and linkages
• Operate as focal point for tourism private sector perspective and involvement
• To monitor and report on business developments and business environment
• To sponsor and support tourism private sector initiatives
• To promote national, regional and international competitiveness
The Challenges for UTA in the Years ahead
1. Fulfilling the private sector mandate
2. Membership expansion and support
3. Expansion of revenue basis
4. Transformation into a sustainable organization
The UTA Strategic Framework (2004-2008 Outlook)
VISION
To be the national focal point for the tourism private sector, respected and reputable and be the driving force for the tourism private sector competitive development
MISSION
To improve the business environment through such actions as: policy research, advocacy, design and coordination of private sector initiatives, promotion of trust and dialogue, facilitation of new technologies and development of skills and manpower.
- Implementation of the new tourism policy
- Focus on community tourism developments through UCOTA, benefiting the rural communities in focal districts
- To represent and defend stakeholder interests, including community based projects
Operating Thrusts
- Promote and sustain dialogue
- Identify and maintain standards for private sector operations
- Accumulate data and provide information
- Serve as the resource center for the tourism private sector
- Develop and improve private sector efficiency though provision of consultative, technical and legal advice
- Design and promote educational and training programmes needed to support and develop the private sector
- Set up and maintain an arbitration panel for both stakeholders and consumers
- Act as government and public sector advisor on all matters pertaining to the tourism sector
- Subscribe to and promote the ‘going green’ principles of the protection of our environment, wildlife and national cultural heritage and their sustainable use as well as the reversal of destructive and non sustainable exploitation of natural resources
Understand and build on UTA comparative advantages
- Positioning
- Bandwidth of focus
- Programme experience
- Limited competition
- Recognition in private and public sector
Define membership categories in terms of UTA mandate
- Tourism Trade Sector and sub Sector Associations
- Local and District Tourism Associations
- Affiliate and Associate Trade Associations
UMA
UNCCI
- Corporations
- Public Sector Institutions
UIA
UWA
UTB
CAA
Fisheries
National Forest Authority
NEMA
National Planning Authority
- Universities and other tertiary institutions with links to Tourism and related subjects
Makerere University
Nkumba University
Kampala University
Kampala International University
Crested Crane Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
- NGO’s
Uganda Wildlife Society, East African Wildlife Society
Nature Uganda, EcoTrust, Rhino Fund
- Government
Expand the base of support
- Broaden Membership Categories
- Carry out campaign to add new members from each category
- Add new products and services
Transformation of UTA
From: Tourism private sector apex body with large but not full participation of all stakeholders
To: UTA becoming full-service private sector services support organization with extended capabilities, representing the entire tourism industry
Keys to this transformation
- Base services on the concept of value rather than the concept of needs
- Identify the full range of stakeholders and services
- Develop core programmes to yield basic services
- Be creative and pro-active
- Understand and use comparative advantages
Key ingredients of an association support programme concept
- Private Sector Agenda in conjunction with the PSF (U)
- Policy and Programme Development
- Association support
- Governance, standards and ethics, certification
- Membership growth and support
- Fundraising and special initiatives
Private Sector Agenda
- Sector perspective on competitiveness
- Research and analysis of key aspects of the private sector agenda
- Understanding of private sector roles within the sector and its sub-sectors
- Annual State of the Tourism Private Sector Conference
- Annual State of the Tourism Private Sector Report
- Regular, quarterly reports on progress
Policy and Programme Development
- Development of policy positions based on private sector agenda and research and analysis
- Task forces of public and private sector figures to address specific identified issues
- Preparation of advocacy initiatives to address policy and regulatory issues
- Introduce and operate sector focus groups through member association
Association Support
- Training courses in strategic planning and programme design, organization development, board / executive committee operations and fee for services programmes
- Assistance to associations with preparation of grant proposals
- Ability to provide small grants to support ability of member associations to address their requirements for strengthening their own internal structure
Governance, Standards and Compliance
- Corporate and association governance
- Structure and management of private sector institutions
- Board / Executive and staff interaction
- Election procedures
- Preparation and handling of Annual General Meetings
- Transparency and Accountability
- Human Resources Development
- National curriculum and syllabus
- Uniform standard of accreditation
- National standards for Certificate, Diplomas and Degrees
- Approaches to association and corporate management
Member Support Services
- Resource center operation
- Information access
- Information linkages
- Round Tables, Seminars and Workshops
- Newsletters and other communications
Fundraising and special initiatives
- Membership drives of sector and sub-sector associations
- Pledge campaigns and sponsorships
- Trade shows and exhibitions
- Endowments
- Insurance programmes
- Discount schemes
- Group purchasing programmes
- Consultancy and other support services
