Entebbe international airport is yet to be the top tourist destination In Uganda. This comes after the release of “7 days in Entebbe” movie that recounts the story of counter- terrorist hostage – rescue operation at Entebbe in July 1976.
According to the chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board Steven Asiimwe, the movie highlights tourist attraction hotspots that will not only market Uganda as a country but also boost the tourism sector.
“The movie highlights the Entebbe International Airport where the raid was conducted. We are yet to set as the top tourist destination,” he said.
“What is negative can be transformed into a positive. We feel we can attract tourists to come visit that place. By coming, we shall be attracting foreign exchange”, Asiimwe added.
The 7 days in Entebbe film recounts the story of operation Entebbe that took place 40 years ago.
In 1976, an Air France airplane carrying 250 passengers to Paris from Tel Aviv made a stopover in Athens and was diverted to Entebbe by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the German Revolutionary Cells, a spin-off of the Baader-Meinhof Gang, a German radical left-wing group.
The Israeli mission to rescue them, known as Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt is considered to be one of the most audacious undertakings of the age.
Yoni Netanyahu, the hero that became a victim, was the rescue unit’s commander and the only Israeli soldier to be killed during the operation Thunderbolt.
The 7 days in Entebbe movie that was released on 16th march in the United States, is not only a movie about Uganda but also an opportunity to set Entebbe as a must see area for local and foreign tourists.
According to Asiimwe , An annual performance report from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) reveals that Uganda received 1.3 million tourists arrivals in 2017.
“In 2007, Uganda earned about 370 million dollars and that number has been growing, now it is earning 1400 million dollars,” Asiimwe said.
Movies portraying scenes in Uganda create a major impact in contributing to tourism. With the latest movies being Black panther and 7 days in Entebbe, another movie title “The world is ending Tomorrow” describing the holistic incident that occurred in 2000 when Kibwetere burnt down a multitude of believers, will be released soon
