It's been a hot debate on two very engaging whatsapp platforms; Reckless Travelers and Kawunyemu Updates 2022 as to why Hoteliers prefer to host international clients compared to domestic clients.
Article that sparked off the debate;
Through out my whole engagement as we interacted, this was the best submission of the day on the Reckless Travelers whatsapp platform by the handsome travel guru, TREVOR AGABA.
He started off with a domestic proverb; Olugero lugamba, "Bwosusa akaze ojogebwa" He added, we as Ugandans upon reading such articles involving negative news, we need to think out loud. Why? To start with, I once said if a local tourist doesn't avoid the mindset of "twasasude sente zaffe" he or she will end up acting out of order. Yes, you paid money but it does not mean you act unethical, play loud music from party boom boxes like there are no other people at the hotel. You inconvenience the hotel set up or vandalise hotel assets simply because wasasude. No, there should always be a touch of humanity to your money not the negatively reactive person when cautioned about hotel rules and guidelines.
Secondly, Trevor added that Travel involves different travel classes with different treats. When you travel in economy class, do not expect to enjoy all previlages of a first class Traveler and this is where we go wrong. You are given a discounted rate by a high end lodge but you think yes kasita nasasude (because I paid), I should go beyond breaking the hotel codes and conduct. It's very wrong and that's why the lodge reserves the right of admission and they can kick you out if your behaviour is unacceptable. Third, we need to value inputs of these lodge owners just as we need value for money paid to stay there. For example, why does one use a towel to wipe dirty feet yet the room has a shower mbu nasasude (because you paid) they will wash. That's stupid entitlement. Trevor added, Why would you play party boom boxes loudly and talk loudly as if you ain't an inconvenience to other people staying at the facility or neighbouring lodges. Why would you disrespect hotel managers and staff because of being told to act in accordance of hotel rules simply because wasasude sente zo (You paid your money). Majority of the amenities vandalised or stolen is because people think its okay kasita nasasude sente (because I paid my money).
This thing of Nasasude sente zange (I paid my money) is a wrong mindset and there other avenues of making things workout and these include the following; The will to listen The will to follow protocal The will to respect yoself and others The will to accept being helped when yo diverting from chorum The will to learn and the will to be considerate. Fourth, Tour operators and tour guides should always brief the Ugandan client on dos and don'ts with caution on the penalties or what to expect in cases of misconduct. Otherwise not all Local tourists are ignorant or bad.
Caution to the Hoteliers:
To the hotelier, you as a lodge owner or manager, should always allow a moment to listen to a customer incase they have something to say even if it's out of your hotel code. Listening to a client will help build and add value to your hospitality business. Lodge owners / managers should always desist from acts that may show racism or marginalisation. Accepting to admit a client in your hotel makes you liable to an equal fair treatment of guests. Kindly note that all views I have written are my opinions based on what I have noticed through Travel in my good country Uganda and are not in anyway an act of blame. So pick what makes sense in all. Thank u.
Trevor Agaba
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