COBATI was a nominee of the CBC- African Business Awards 2008 in the category of leader in Social Innovation.
COBATI's Founder Maria Baryamujura was recognized among the “Ugandans Making a Difference” and received an award of recognition from the New vision for outstanding contribution to improving the lives of others for a better Uganda. The award was presented on 9TH June 2008, a day reserved for Heroes in Uganda.
Rural Tourism Experience !!
Maria
Baryamujura founder COBATI
Overview
Cobati is Non-profit tourism NGO, which supports local people in Uganda to participate and benefit from tourism and its related initiatives.
The vision of COBATI is “Empowered local people fully participating and benefiting from rural tourism in Uganda”
The principal objective of Cobati is to bring the economic benefits derived from tourism more directly to local people while at the same time satisfying the tourism experience of certain tourist’s market segments.
COBATI was established in 1998 by the founder, Maria Baryamujura who was concerned about the lack of participation of local people into their own attractions. With her over 20 year experience in tourism development in and outside Uganda, Maria was aware of the shift in global tourism, as tourists became more independent, environmentally and socially conscious and travelers moved to sustainable models that preserve culture and environment. She saw the socio-economic potential of tourism in bringing opportunities which are especially important in rural areas where few opportunities exist. Local people are trained to understand that Community based tourism in its widest form covers all kinds of activities and attractions found in rural areas, which are mainly, or incidentally, for tourism purposes. It is linked to poverty alleviation, and used to promote the diversity of attractions and activities mainly found in rural areas, and to generate income for the local people.
The COBATI approach encourages local participation at homestead and community level, and empowers local people through mentoring and training, linking them to opportunities in tourism. This approach brings about economic tourism opportunities, which are especially important in rural areas where few opportunities exist. Cobati programs go beyond mainstream vacations to open up a world of adventure and opportunity. It includes directing tourists to Uganda’s countryside, balancing the biased geographical distribution of tourists, offering opportunity to disperse benefits from tourism into rural economy.
"A Slice of Traditional Culture"
Local people using their indigenous knowledge, skills and sharing their culture and providing enriching experience to travelers.
“Tourism Excellency Award ”
Maria and Samantha
To promote and enhance the capacity of rural communities around natural, cultural and tourist circuits in Uganda to participate and benefit from tourism related enterprises.
(1.) COBATI was a nominee of the CBC- African Business Awards 2008 in the category of leader in Social Innovation.
(2.)Tourism Excellency Award 2007 .
(3.)COBATI began community tourism awareness and education programs.Read More
Linking tourism to conservation, cultural heritage and sustainable rural development to improve community livelihoods
"A Slice of Traditional Culture"
