LOW SEASON IN UGANDA TOURISM SECTOR
Low season is when Uganda receives few numbers of tourists or no tourist at all. That means Uganda’s tourist potentials are visited by few or no tourists. More so, the Lodges and Hotels also receive low turn ups and low revenue. The marketing sector is also affected as few buyers are received and little profits too. Low season occurs during the months of April, May and November when Uganda receives.
There so many reasons that can try to explain this. It should be noted that tourists tend to come to Uganda either during summer or winter. This therefore explains why clients instead end up coming in June, July and August when it is summer in Europe and then in December, January and February when it is winter or near winter. This therefore leaves the months of April, May and November with fewer tourists.
During the month of April, May and November, Uganda tends to receive heavy rainfall and Uganda being a predominantly a primate country as portrayed by many, tourists do not fancy trekking gorillas or chimpanzee in dump conditions. During this time, trails to gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park can be slippery causing discomfort to clients trekking the primates. In Low season, the primate trekking permits’ demand lowers greatly compared to that in peak season.
In low season, tourists benefit from low costs on accommodation, market products like art and craft shops, join small groups during Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, Golden Monkey trekking, boat trips among others.
Uganda is greatly affected in low season in the following ways:
Little revenue is obtained from tourism as few tourists turn up. In low season, the country receives fewer guests who bring in little revenue.
On the other hand, revenue from accommodation also reduces as they receive few clients. The country remains in speculation for future income.
Tour operators because temporarily unemployed as some tour guides use this time to visit relatives and stay with their families.