The Biggest Problems faced by tour operators in Uganda
Let us look at problems faced by tour operators in Uganda. We have always guided you on how to start, run, manage and grow your tour business but today we chose to share with you the key challenges faced by tour operators in Uganda today.
1. Strengthening Credibility & Trust.
Most tour operators fail to build credibility and trust with their trade partners in the source markets and this can be a result of common mistakes like dishonesty, breach of the contract, and poor service delivery from the original set standard. Securing trust and credibility not only from source market agents, but the majority have also failed to earn this from fellow industry colleagues and other tourism brokers including hotels, safari lodges, and car rental companies among others. Failure to earn trust and credibility from business colleagues and partners can lead to no business and this has been one of the major problems faced by tour operators in Uganda. Companies can maintain trust and credibility through positive reviews from their past customers and by making them their business advocates. Also increasing the service level of efficiency binds trusts.
2. Access to the right market.
Majority of tour operators in Uganda if not all find this as one of the greatest problems tour operators face in Uganda. Limited market or no market at all. It is known that tour operators in Uganda sell the same products to the same community (international visitors) and this possess a big challenge of heavy competition among them. The majority survive on poor internet marketing strategies without complimenting this with other key strategies including B2B meetings, having market representatives, trade show participation, etc. Other tour operators have failed to specialize in a niche market, to identify a small section of the bigger community to target and be able to meet their needs and desires. A poor market approach has resulted in no market in the end. However, market access can be attained through research and focus on a niche and through advanced digital and online strategies.
3. Poor destination publicity.
To date, Uganda has failed to improve its image in the sources markets and this has emerged to be among the problems faced by tour operators in Uganda. Known as a political unrest ground, unrest with deadly diseases such as Ebola. These have raised a red flag to many international guests and also many foreign governments have imposed travel bans on Uganda. The authorities have also not done enough to popularize Uganda as a great safari destination. Well, hiring great PR firms and increasing marketing in the source market, and sharing virtual experiences about Uganda, can help form a better image for Uganda from what everyone knows as a negative image.
4. Quality of the working force.
Many tour companies have an unskilled workforce, with limited product knowledge about the destination, tour company staff lack innovative and creative skills to unlock new skills that trend with the industry flexibility. It is also proved that the majority do not wish to learn more not even take the time to discover new skills and above all with a poor attitude towards work. Upskilling your workforce, regular tourism training with product knowledge and industry trends can help the tourism workforce and be able to stand productive and efficient.
5. Use of traditional working tools.
Traditional working tools mean being stuck in the old style of providing services even in the new digital world today. The majority of tour operators have failed to adapt to new technologies, for example, the use of Granit solutions, Wetu itinerary Builder, Use of quick books accounting software among other booking software. Keeping and updating files manually is no longer an effective way of delivering services effectively, especially to the international market in which the majority of the customers are beyond average.
