Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, with a surface area of about 68,800 sq. km shared between Kenya (6%), Uganda (45%) and Tanzania (49%). The catchment area of the lake covers 180,959 km2, 15.9% of this is constituted by Uganda. The socio-economic importance of Lake Victoria to Uganda and other countries of the region arises from both the intrinsic and tangible value that this lake provides and includes rich biodiversity and its fragile ecosystems among others. Biodiversity combined with the scenic beauty of the Lake Victoria, is one of the important contributors to increased tourist arrivals in the country and the investment in the hospitality industry.
 
In Uganda, tourism is an important but undervalued sector of the economy, generating a valuable and growing stream of foreign revenue, on the back of minimal promotion in its main source markets. In 2011, foreign visitors were estimated to be responsible for US$ 805M of revenues (Uganda Bureau of Statistics). Taking into account induced and indirect impacts, the tourism sector now accounts for around 9% of GDP, amounting to $1.7bn (World Bank, Situational Analysis, 2011). Ugandan tourism is at a turning point with tremendous opportunities emerging and to this effect, tourism is recognized by Government in the current National Development Plan2010/11-2014/15 as one of the nation’s primary growth sectors.
 
A recent study (UNDP, Uganda’s Domestic Market, 2013) shows that domestic tourism is overwhelmingly composed of day trips to local attractions and for local activities, with 76% of travelers spending less than 12 hours away from home, and 81.5% spending less than UGX50,000 on their trip. Ugandan citizens show limited interest in the National Parks and staying in NP accommodation facilities, because of transport difficulties, unaffordable prices, and a widespread lack of appreciation of Uganda’s wildlife and natural resources. Visitors to important cultural and wildlife institutions such as UWEC and Ngamba island in Entebbe are predominantly domestic, although the largest proportion of these visitors are school groups and students (UNDP, Uganda’s Domestic Market, 2013).
 
Currently Entebbe and surrounding communities are witnessing an upward trend in numbers of both domestic and international visitors due to its diverse and unique attractions. The easy of accessing Entebbe from Kampala capital city and being the main access route for international visitors through the only international airport in the country are one of the major contributing factors to its growing popularity. It is anticipated that when the Entebbe- Kampala highway is opened; Entebbe recreation facilities will be overwhelmed with visitor numbers. In quest to increase diversity of tourism products and services in Entebbe area to match the rising demand, the government of Uganda supports the establishment of tourism circuit on Lake Victoria (UWEC, Botanical gardens, Lutembe beach and Ngamba Island) as per the National Development Plan and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities strategic plan.