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Uganda, Land of Opportunity Edition by Jerry W. Bird, Editor Africa Travel Magazine's first Exclusive Destination Edition, featuring opportunities in Travel, Trade, Tourism and Investment in Uganda, is now underway. This Annual Progress Report and Forecast will target the vast North American market and far beyond, and is being launched as an Africa Travel Association 30th Jubilee project. Readers will view a gallery of attractive full color photos, and enjoy first person reports from our editorial group's countrywide tours. Ugandan fashions, new industries and highlights from ATA's 8th Cultural and Ecotourism Symposium are added features. Air Highways to Uganda and transportation access will receive special coverage. At dozens of trade shows worldwide, this comprehensive issue will be in demand, now and for years to come. Thanks to Uganda's participation as an Africa Travel Association host country and the formation of a strong ATA Uganda Chapter, this special edition will updated twice annually and reprints are expected to meet the demand. Each issue will receive the widest possible distribution to the travel tourism industry, airlines, governments, business contacts and consumers interested in African destinations. The magazine's editors, who just returned from a month in this rapidly emerging country, have recruited a team in Kampala to handle advertising and distribution. The new group will work closely with President Museveni's AGOA offic, the Uganda Tourist Board, trade groups and ATA Uganda Chapter The presence of the Africa Travel Association is causing a wave of excitement in Uganda's business and travel tourism community. An enthusiastic contingent from government and private sector was on hand to meet and greet Jane Thompson and ATA's advance team. The event was held in Kampala, Uganda in October, 2004 in the presence of H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, Uganda's President. The following article by Stephen Lungole is from the Business Pages of The New Vision, a leading newspaper in Kampala, Uganda, June 21, 2004, Tourism gets ATA boost The Tourism industry will have a chance to showcase its products when the African Travel Association (ATA) holds its eighth cultural and ecotourism symposium and launch ATA Uganda Chapter in October. "We believe Africa's turn has come. It has everything to offer. There is no reason why it can't benefit from the booming global tourism," ATA's Jane Thompson said in an interview in Mweya Safari Lodge. Thompson is part of ATA delegation on site inspection of some of the tourism products and meet various stakeholders as part of the preparations for the highly rated October function. "We have had direct interest in Uganda, But the Whitaker Group specifically made our dream come true. We are so excited with everything we have so far seen," she said. "We are getting things go at our own pace which isn't the case with most African countries," she said. ATA is an international organization which promotes tourist attractions in Africa. It educates and trains interested travel agents, meeting and conference planning, group tour organizers and incentive companies about the products and services offered by the tourism industry in Africa. Thompson said the ecotourism symposium would help Uganda learn from other ATA partners, earn forex, network, showcase herself and products and get recognition as of the accessible tourism destinations. It will also be able to know one \-one-one basis what happens from other ATA partners. Delegates are expected from Africa, Europe and USA. She said, "ecotourism was a critical component because if you don't conserve, you will lose your products.: She said the learning experience, would be important to travel agents. Delegates will take home experience of what they have learnt about Uganda's products. They will provide direct contacts between the local Chapter and the rest of the other Chapters, Thompson said. She, however, warned, "the success will depend on the tourism ministry. "We feel the timing is good because we haven't had the opportunity to showcase Uganda to other tourism partners. It coincides very well with the changing travel trends. It is a great time for Africa", Marlene Melton president of African Ventures Inc. USA said. She said Uganda had much to offer in tourism" but proactive promotion is required" Susan Muhwezi, the special presidential assistant said tourism was in line with President Yoweri Museveni's initiative to eradicate poverty. "The discovery Channel documentary showcased Uganda but more initiatives like ATA are required," she said. » Churchill 's Tour of Uganda Stay at Uganda's Sunset Hotel on the banks of the River Nile, over looking Owen Falls Dam, and the source of the River Nile. Just 2 km from downtown Jinja. www.sunsethoteluganda.com. » Asyanut Tour - 8 days, 7 nights- Uganda :Pearl Expedition. Web site