Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) have today 28th August 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation aimed at boosting the sale of gorilla tracking permits.
The three year MoU which takes effect on 1st September 2015, is aimed at supporting and strengthening the capacity of Uganda tour operators, to market the tourism potential of the Country more effectively in the International markets.
Currently, the number of available permits stands at 104 per day up from 18 in 2006, with 13 gorilla groups fully habituated for tourism in the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area. This calls for better and more effective approaches to marketing.
Besides, there are other two groups where visitors can be taken for experiential tourism to take part in the actual habituation process. These groups are Bushaho and Bikingi in the Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Under the memorandum, UWA will provide a commission of one complimentary gorilla tracking permit for every 30 gorilla permits bought and utilized by AUTO to Non foreign resident clients. The complimentary permits will be declared at the end of each quarter, based on the sales performance of the previous quarter.
This initiative follows the old sales commission of $ 10 per permit which was mutually wound up.
The two entities believe the MoU will enhance co-operation, increase the sale of Gorilla permits and promote gorilla tourism regionally and internationally.
