Ugandan officials and tour operators say the latest Ebola outbreak has dimmed hopes of a profitable year for the country’s tourism industry, with tourists cancelling trips amid rising cases of the deadly disease in the East African country.
Kibaale, the affected district in Uganda’s west, is home of a national park that has one of the richest primate populations anywhere in the world, making it popular with tourists and biologists. Cuthbert Baguma, who heads Uganda’s tourism marketing agency, said the outbreak’s timing was especially damaging because the tourism season peaks in August.
British businessman John Hunwick said his clients were “absolutely petrified” and wanted to go home, and that he lost $6,000 in cancelled tours on Tuesday.
Ebola is feared because it is highly infectious and kills quickly.
