Growing numbers of home stays in Uganda’s travel industry

The World Trade Organization reports that this year, around one billion tourists visited different parts of the world. Additionally, since all visitors to East Africa require the same visa, the ministry of tourism is devising strategies to entice more travelers and encourage them to stay longer in this nation.

One strategy the ministry has implemented to make sure visitors stay in the nation for even longer is home stays. A guest will be able to pay a charge through home-stays in order to stay with their host.

The ministry’s spokesman, Vivian Liaz, stated that the home-stay product provides modern travelers with safe and affordable lodging options.

She continued by saying that it will also provide a fresh stream of income, first-rate lodging, and the chance for guests to take advantage of the amazing chance to discover and even engage with Uganda’s diverse cultures.

According to Juma Abdallah, a member of the Ugandan Nubian minority residing in Bombo, the home-stay service educates visitors about the rich cultural heritage of the area in which the product was first introduced.

According to Nusura Ibrahim, a member of the Uganda Nubian Community Association, the cost of their crafts has actually gone up since the introduction of this product.

A mat that used to cost UGX 20,000 is now sold for UGX 100,000. Additionally, there is a greater need for table mats, wall hangings, and jewelry.

Home-stay services are quickly gaining popularity, and host families’ perspectives on wildlife and its preservation are also quickly evolving.

In order to meet the enormous demand for many of their items, women are now genuinely cooperating, according to Halima Ramadhan, a member of the Ugandan Nubian group. A single mat will take anything from seven to fourteen days to craft.

Customers are now requesting specific custom designs. These days, people prefer to give their products as birthday, wedding, and anniversary presents.

Before the advent of home-stay tourism, Ramadhan noted, these weaving techniques were passed down through generations from mothers to daughters in their homes. Currently, nevertheless, novices are receiving training in Bombo at the Nubian Community workshop, where they exchange ideas and learn about what their market demands.

These mats are made of papyrus and colorful reeds. Residents say that tourists are enthralled with Ugandan cuisine, coffee, and the Nubian community’s traditional attire.

Travel agencies that use the Great-North Road typically stop at Bombo to give their customers a chance to view these exquisite works of African art, which make ideal mementos.

Former governor of Central Uganda, Nasur Abdalah, stated that some visitors prefer to eat dura while seated on mats. He went on to say that it is fantastic that the new home-stay product is quickly emerging as a key factor in the socioeconomic development of the Nubian community.

Attending a tour in Bombay gives you the chance to see what your homestay hosts have arranged for you. The women in the communities have turned into business owners and now produce a variety of goods, including floor mats, table mats, and cone baskets for holding currency.