This brand new week, we bring you our fresh new weekly Top Ten (10) digest for the most important things in Uganda’s Tourism, the world of Aviation and Travel that are trending especially in this Post COVID-19 Era. As always, we will be giving you highlights that make News rounds all through from start of the week. Below is our Weekly Newsletter for your readership.
01. Airlines are increasingly becoming targets for cyber-attacks?
According to a Eurocontrol report, there has been a significant increase in cyber attacks against various segments of the aviation industry over the last year.
According to new Eurocontrol data analysing rising levels of risk for the industry from criminals, hackers, and state-sponsored cyber-attackers, commercial airlines accounted for 61 percent of all detected aviation-related cyber-attacks in 2020.
Eurocontrol used data collected from its European Air Traffic Management Computer Emergency Response Team (EATM-CERT) in the latest in a series of Think Papers, which reported a 530 percent increase in the number of cyber-attacks reported to or identified by the team between 2019 and 2020. None of the EATM-CERT-reported cyber-attack methods or attempts were directed directly at safety-critical aircraft systems or passenger mobile devices connected to in-flight internet.
02. Guide2Uganda Profiles: A One on One with Rwenzori Trekking Services proprietor Mr John Hunwick
Beyond temporary disruptions by Covid-19 and floods, Mt. Rwenzori still holds unlimited possibilities for tour operators and visitors. This week Guide2Uganda catches with Mr John Hunwick, a tourism proprietor and founder for Rwenzori Trekking Services on a Q&A.
John Hunwick, 73, the founder of Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS), has been facilitating climbers to Mt. Rwenzori, since 2009. The company offers, a variety of trekking trips- one day (forest trek) to 10-day-4-peak trips to the top, that include Margherita Peak, Mt Speke, Mt Baker and Weismann’s Peak. We caught up with him for insights on the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism business and the post-Covid-19 future of the outdoor adventure sector as well as the opportunities therein.
03. What you ought to know inside flydubai’s extensive European network
Flydubai has an extensive European network. This summer, some 34 destinations are bookable, including those in European Russia and the Caucasian countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Some readers may balk at these being included. If that’s the case, removing Caucasian countries still yields some 30 destinations across Europe.
04. IATA Survey: 83% Of Airline Passengers in favor of Inflight mask wearing
According to a passenger survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 83% of airline passengers strongly support mask-wearing onboard flights. The survey also looked at other factors such as confidence in protective measures, COVID-related rules and requirements and perceived aircraft cleanliness.
In a June survey carried out by IATA, 83% of participants strongly favored masks onboard flights. However, the majority of those surveyed (65%) were also in favor of ending mandatory masks as soon as possible. The survey involved 4,700 participants across 11 markets worldwide who had flown at least once since June 2020.
05. Italian mountaineering couple swept away by Mt. Rwenzori’s unique charm
Dagmara who at first says was challenged by the rain and humidity said that she later got used to the terrain which she later found to be a sweet challenge.
“The going up, seeing the rocks and then the glaciers. It was really a nice experience. It is also important that it was not crowded,” says Dagmara, adding: “That was something extra nice. It was really a nice experience.”
“When you compare with Kilimanjaro, other than the altitude sickness (because of height), technically Kilimanjaro is a normal hike. Rwenzori is different. You begin in the rain forest, then you have a lot of muddy trails… it rains a lot quite every day. It is also longer. The last push, the last day, climbing Peak Margherita, you have to climb. You have to use crampons (ice axe), so it’s really climbing a mountain. It’s not only hiking,” says Christian.
Courtesy Photo: Italian mountain climber and an officer of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the security unit of the Holy See that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace, Christian Kuehne (right) and his Polish wife Dagmara Kuehne, pose for a photo at Margherita Peak (5,109 metres) the highest point on Mt. Rwenzori. The passionate mountaineers said they were attracted to the Rwenzoris because of its famous and unique climbing experience and the historical connection with the Italian mountaineer and explorer, Luigi Amedeo, Duke of Abruzzi (29 January 1873 – 18 March 1933); who made the first-ever recorded climb of the Rwenzories against whose name one of the 6 massifs that form the top of the Rwenzoris- Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres (15,180 ft)) is named after him. Several other peaks on the mountain are also named after several Italian Royalties.
06. China Unveils fastest Train Able To Travel Kampala-Nairobi Under 2 hours
With advancements in technology and current development trends, the world continues to seek better to the continued human challenges. In a bid to enhance surface travel, China on Tuesday advertised “the world’s first 600 kilometers per hour high-speed maglev train”, according to state newspaper People’s Daily.
The super-fast home-grown magnetic levitation train is capable of reaching 600 kph, the fastest train ever built by the country and fastest surface travel wagon ever built.
Mt. Rwenzori’s numerous adrenaline-charged peaks, rich and rare ecological diversity, combined with once-in-a-lifetime breathtaking views continue to attract renowned mountaineers. Loved by mountaineers for its unique combination of exhilarating climbs, picturesque views and vast ecological diversity, Mt. Rwenzori, remains, many a climber’s must-tick-off bucket-list item. Even amidst the strictest public health measures aimed at protecting both international visitors and citizens, Uganda remains open and safe for foreign travellers seeking to enjoy the Pearl of Africa.
As the world begins to come to terms with the Covid-19 pandemic, ramp up vaccinations and warm up to tourism, the charming allure and unique diversity of Uganda continues to attract travellers in search of bucket-list and once-in-a-lifetime destinations with wide-open spaces and natural wonders.
Courtesy Photo – Uganda Tourism Board: Climbers take on a glacier with ropes and crampons as they embark on the last stretch to the Margherita Peak (5,109 metres). Several climbers have praised Mt. Rwenzori for its unique and exceptions large glaciers compared to its East African peers.
08. Here’s to why you must visit Uganda for a Golden Safari post Covid-19
The Tourism industry has been one of the most hit industries due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Without exception, Uganda is also among the top African tourist destinations that have felt the pinch of the Covid-19 pandemic. Early in March 2020, upon the registration of the first covid-19 case in Uganda, the country underwent a total lockdown for close to 6 months. All national parks were closed off even before the month of March ended. The land borders were also crossed off as well as Entebbe international Airport. Only essential travelers were permitted to move in and outside the country.
09. Uganda is Open and Safe for Tourism activities – Lilly Ajarova
Lilly Ajarova the Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer reiterated Uganda’s readiness to give tourists an unforgettable experience.
“Working with the Ministry of Health we have put in place a win-win protocol of ensuring that our visitors continue to travel and enjoy the Pearl of Africa while ensuring both their and our citizens’ safety,” she said.
“All travellers whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, or other flu-like symptoms, and have a negative COVID -19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate issued within 72 hours from the time of sample collection to boarding aircraft shall be allowed to enter or depart Uganda,” said Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova
10. What Safari lodges need to know before taking on local names as trading names in destination Uganda
Trademarks in the travel or hospitality business have been litigated in Uganda as seen in the case of Kyaninga Estates Limited V Kyaninga Royal Cottages. The difference between word marks and logos was one of the main issues of contention in the Kyaninga case. In this case, the plaintiff and Respondent in the Application, according to the judgment on page 10, sought to protect the words, “Kyaninga Elegance at its Peak”. The judgment stated that the words are not distinct in their character. The judgment referred to a dictionary search of the words to mean they are commonplace words in the English language.
This illustrates that Courts may rely on dictionaries or usage by customers or any other source to perceive a term’s meaning.
Courtesy Photo: Kyaninga Lodge – Kibale Forest National Park, Western Uganda
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Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of travel information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on its cities & towns, accommodation, attractions, events, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda; as well as being a dynamic travel news and events driven site with fresh content added daily.
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