Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism in Karamoja – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
Continue reading and watch the videos to learn about the positive impacts of tourism and our initiative of offering virtual tours and online tours to continue to support the host communities.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism in Karamoja
Kara-Tunga visited it’s community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
Robin Y, Nov 2022 – Kara-Tunga is one of the most unique experiences i have had. So different from the rest of Uganda, at the top of the Mountains on the Kenya-Uganda escarpment, the views are breath taking.
Last Year we had the pleasure to host Dutch fashion designer Jan Boelo for 4 days in Karamoja for an inspirational trip. This month his story was featured in Marie Claire magazine and the designer wrote a beautiful story about his #DiscoverKaramoja experience and the creation of a garment based on the iconic Karamojong sheet.
The direction, teachers and parents of Acorns International School Kampala sent their children on an unforgettable cultural exchange and outdoor adventure to Karamoja.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
Video: Impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism in Karamoja
Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism in Karamoja – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
Continue reading and watch the videos to learn about the positive impacts of tourism and our initiative of offering virtual tours and online tours to continue to support the host communities.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism in Karamoja
Kara-Tunga visited it’s community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
The tools are: Karamoja Tourism Academy (practical skilling), Discover Karamoja (regional tourism marketing), Kara-Tunga Tours (regional tour operator)
Related Posts
Kara-Tunga Eco-Camps is one of My Most Unique Experiences
Robin Y, Nov 2022 – Kara-Tunga is one of the most unique experiences i have had. So different from the rest of Uganda, at the top of the Mountains on the Kenya-Uganda escarpment, the views are breath taking.
Dutch Fashion Designer travels Karamoja for Inspiration
Last Year we had the pleasure to host Dutch fashion designer Jan Boelo for 4 days in Karamoja for an inspirational trip. This month his story was featured in Marie Claire magazine and the designer wrote a beautiful story about his #DiscoverKaramoja experience and the creation of a garment based on the iconic Karamojong sheet.
Visiting Karamoja with School Children
The direction, teachers and parents of Acorns International School Kampala sent their children on an unforgettable cultural exchange and outdoor adventure to Karamoja.
Karamoja takes Crown Miss Tourism Uganda 2017-2018
Karamoja takes the Crown for Miss Tourism Uganda 2017-2018 with Queen Challa Elma Kapel from Kotido district.