Friday, September 29, 2017

Tanzania: Villages Get Cultural Tourism Boost

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Arusha — Three villages in Arusha and Kilimanjaro have upgraded their tourism profiles, thanks to cultural tourism promotion.

For a long time, Nkweshoo, Mulala and Chemka villages remained unpopular despite having the cultural tourism potential that could earn the two regions more revenue.

Attractions found in the villages include Chemka hot springs as named by Pare elderly due to having hot water all the time. Nkweshoo Village is well preserved and gets water from the springs of Mt Kilimanjaro. There are caves along Mtondoo River that the Chagga tribe used as a hideout during a war with the Maasai community. Visiting Mulala Village one may call this area as the 'Garden of Eden' since it is well watered and is covered with green vegetation. So, the scenery is magnificent as it is green all the time.

It was until the formation of cultural groups that the three villages' tourism activities gathered momentum and helped to reduce poverty among villagers. Tourism activities facilitate the realisation of the government's objective to attract three million tourists by 2020.

Statistics from the Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB) show that the number of tourists increased from 1.1 million in 2015 to 1.3 million 2016, while the government's target is to reach 2 million tourists by 2020. One of the potential areas less exploited is cultural tourism, which a report from United Nations Tourism Organisation (UN-WTO) indicates, it is growing very fast in the world compared to safaris and others.

TTB says cultural tourism is growing very fast because tourists prefer to interact with community members. The board says on average tourists spend up to 11 days in the country and through the promotion of cultural tourism, the number of days may increase and the government will earn more foreign currency.

How cultural tourism groups add value

Rundugai Cultural Group at Chemka Village in Hai District was established in 2014 after realising opportunities in natural tourism and Chemka hot spring. The cultural group offers a walking village tourism and Masaai dancing. Group Coordinator Ndossy Ndumiaita says most tourists, who visit the country prefer interacting with community members and are interested in local customs, clothes, foodstuffs, songs and dances.

"We have three activities, village walking, Maasai dancing and swimming in the hot spring. So, visitors can choose what they want to see. Charges are different," he said. Mr Ndumiaita said before the formation of groups, visitors were mainly visiting springs for swimming because that was the only considered cultural attraction.

"We have seen the power of cultural groups and social media and other platforms in making other attractions known to members of the public," he said. Through walking, tourists get an opportunity to visit herbalists and talk to them on the kind of traditional medicine they produce for treating human beings and meet with women cooking traditional foods.

"We also take them to watch Maasai dances, where they also see various cultural practices like food and the way the Masaai tribe lives," he said. He said visitors were very enjoying. The group has added value to Chemka hot spring because it has become more popular as the number of tourists visiting the area increases.

He said before tourists were guided by tour operators and the number of visits was small. Since the formation of groups, more than 200 foreign tourists visited the attractions and government could collect Sh30 million as entrance fee.

Nkweshoo Cultural Group Chairperson Stella Shoo says there has been growing interests of tourists to visit historical caves to learn their history. "These caves are in history books, but receive less attention. Hence, no one visitted them. We have decided to renovate them," she noted.

The group performs traditional dances of Chagga tribe, makes traditional foodstuffs and houses. They also guide cave and waterfall visits. She said after tourists participated in all activities they finally visited the caves and waterfalls that flowed from Mount Kilimanjaro springs.

Since the group was established in 2014, not less than 150 tourists have been visiting the areas annually. In addition to that the group has already helped four elderly people and pay school fees for 10 children.

Mulala Village in Meru is surrounded by green vegetation that gives the village a suitable climate and comfort to visitors. Agape Cultural Group was established in 1998 to preserve ecosystems by planting trees. Ms Anna Pallangyo organised 10 women to form a cultural group aiming at earning a living and maintaining the beauty of their area.

The group performs traditional dances from Meru tribe, prepares local foods, honey and different types of locally-made cheese. Visitors also are introduced to the history of the village and the entire life of Meru tribe - how they were living in the past years. Ms Pallangyo's journey started in 1998, when she initiated a project of producing locally-made cheese and two years later she started the group.

"We have completed the construction of a secondary school and seven room-houses for visitors," she said. She explained that during the pick season, her group received mre than 800 tourists whereby some of them came with their tents and sleep for two and three days, learning various traditional dances, while other participated in every step.

How villages benefit from the groups

Chemka Village Chairman Iddi Mtambo said before the group was established, tourists used to visit the area, but not in large numbers compared to three years later after the formation of groups. He said the village received direct money from entrance fees whereby a local visitor was charged Sh5,000 and foreigner was charged $5.

More than 300 visitors have been visiting a swimming site and learning the history of hot spring water. The moeny collected is injected into various developments projects like school maintenance.

The ongoing project of constructing a village dispensary and other development activities will be implemented through the money collected from Chemka hot spring. Meanwhile, Nkweshoo Village Chairman Elisamia Shoo said through the group the village had been popular and there were frequent visits to the area.

"We never saw many foreign visitors to our area, but through cultural tourism we see some changes," he said. He noted that the group had added value to the caves and waterfalls, which had been abandoned despite their potential. The TTB cultural tourism coordinator said the sub-sector was growing very fast, according the feedback they receoved from various tours companies. There are more than 60 cultural groups countrywide and 120 requests have been sent to the board.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Tanzania Tour Operators: Corporate Social Responsibilities top the Agenda

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Tanzania tour operators have announced the intent to focus more on consolidated efforts for corporate social responsibilities (CSR), a move suggesting a historic shift in their undertakings.

This was revealed at just ended 34th TATO annual general meeting (AGM) held in Arusha. The tour operators unanimously resolved to pour their hearts and minds into community-related projects and conservation initiatives as part of a newly adopted CSR policy.

TATO’s new CSR is a concept whereby the association and its member companies integrate social and conservation concerns in their business and operations on a voluntary basis.

“We have made a drastic shift in our undertakings as a lobbying and advocacy agency. We shall focus more on our new policy of CSR” announced, TATO Chairman, Mr Wilbard Chambulo.

According to him, the association and its individual member business companies would be required to embrace the new TATO’s CSR policy by supporting community projects and conservation activities.

“Idea is to appreciate the community where we operate as well as nature through which, we make money by taking our dear tourists to enjoy” Mr Chambulo explained after the AGM.

No wonder, as a result, the TATO AGM overwhelmingly voted in the two key renowned tour operators-cum-conservationists, Peter Lindstrom of Hoopoe Safaris and Vesna Glamocanin Tibaijuka of Pure Afro Travels Tanzania, as the new councilors to spearhead the conservation mission.

TATO ’s CEO, Mr Sirili Akko said that the AGM also re-elected the Vice-chairman, Mr Henry Kimambo, the managing director of Osupuko Lodges whose term elapsed since June 2017.

Mr Kimambo’s key responsibility is to support incumbent TATO chairman, Mr Chambulo, a well known for his uncompromised stance in conservation and community support. Mr Chambulo is helping TATO to raise the tourism industry profile as he is credited as a champion of the new spirit of involving public in both conservation and tourism trade.

TATO is a leading lobby agency for a $2.05 billion tourism industry in the natural-resource-rich country, Tanzania. Other elected members of the powerful TATO council include the former FastJet Managing Director, Mr John Corse. He is now works with Serengeti Balloon.

Rajendra Modha of Krisha Safaris is a new TATO’s Treasurer, whereas Saida Culanhusain Hirji from Easy Travel has been voted as a new councilor. Other members of the TATO Council include the Mauly Tours Managing director, Mozzah Maully, Seamu Brice-Bennett from Marangu Hotel, Emmanuel Wera of Park East Africa as well as Mr. Sirili Akko as its Chief executive officer.

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) is the apex body of tour companies. It was established in 1983 to foster the interests of the licensed tour operators such as to carry out lobbying and advocacy for and on behalf of its members, to coordinate public and private sector partnership.

TATO also undertakes and publishes research in matters related to tourism industry and operations as well as to disseminate information to its members and relevant institutions. Trainings and education provision to its members and employees are also among the key issues for the association.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Tanzania: Boost for Cultural Tourism As Lodge Gets Global Recognition

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Kilimanjaro - A South Pare Mountains based cultural mountain lodge has received global recognition, a boost to cultural tourism in Tanzania.

The World Quality Commitment Award (WQC) 2016/7 has been granted to Tona Lodge after reaching the set out criteria by the Madrid-based institution, named BID (Business Initiative Directions).

In a letter sent to the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and copied to Tona Lodge by Tanzania Embassy in Paris, it is noted that the Award is given to companies, organisations, institutions and individuals in recognition for their quality of service, innovation, and improvement symbolising a success in the business.

The founder of the lodge, Mr Elly Kimbwereza, and the coordinator of South Pare Tourism Cultural Centre accepting the award noted that the potential of cultural tourism in Tanzania was so huge, and time has come for it to be embraced as a mainstream one instead of being sidelined.

He said it was gratifying to receive WQC, saying it was a testimony that cultural tourism was being taken seriously.

He said the award means that nature-based tourism could contribute to social, economic and environmental benefits.

"I have always insisted that cultural tourism is one of the alternatives to rapacious resource extraction. It could earn the desperately sought income and bring in revenues to properly managed villages and protected areas in the Southern Pare," he said.

There are many hurdles to promotion of cultural tourism in Tanzania despite the abundance in cultural tourism, it is one of the most unheralded and untapped tourist destination, he noted.

To get the award Tona lodge has shown efforts to enhance better understanding among people in the Pare Mountains and directed more awareness on the great cultural heritage and civilisation that values traditions and cultures of the local people as a tool for fighting poverty and elevate the living standards of village people, noted Mr Kimbwereza.

"We started cultural tourism in Pare Mountains two decades ago, some people thought it was crazy," he said.

The award goes a long way to vindicate those of us who have been advocating for this kind of tourism that is truly socially responsible, Mr Kimbwereza noted.

The goal of cultural tourism is not just to promote our villages to the rest of the world but also to promote the assets of the nation internally and create a consensus for national development.

Mr Kimbwereza also sees a successful cultural tourism sector as creating a positive image in broader terms,which in turn can stimulate investment in other sectors.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Tanzania to Air new Tourism TV Channel Overseas

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TANZANIA plans to take the country’s proposed television tourism channel dubbed ‘Utalii Channel,’ which is set to be launched at the end of this year, to all major television stations across Asia and Europe, it was revealed in Arusha.

The anticipated tourism channel will start as free-to-air but later on it will be shipped to other digital top boxes operating on the backbone of major stations across the globe,” said the Managing Editor of the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Dr Ayoub Rioba.

He was addressing stakeholders at one of the series of meetings held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), to lay ground works for the proposed Utalii Channel, soon to air as third bouquet from the State broadcaster’s television offerings.

The idea for the Channel was hatched by President John Magufuli during the Head of State’s visit to TBC offices last May, when he suggested that the national broadcaster establish a tourism and wildlife television channel. The ‘Utalii Channel,’ is being produced between the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA), the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and the host, TBC.

Mr Assangye Bangu the Deputy Conservator at the NCAA said the channel will offer ‘edutainment,’ packages that will help to simplify tourism, conservation and wildlife protection in attractive style.

“For the people abroad, the channel will showcase our local attractions and for Tanzanians it will be the source of information and education on wildlife and natural resources protection,” said Mr Bangu. The Tanzania Tourist Board’s Principal Information Officer, Mr Geoffrey Erneo Tengeneza, said once the channel gets injected to all top-boxes around the globe, it will ease the board the cost and pain of trying to push promotional materials to a number of outlets in various countries. Tanzania gets around 1.3 million tourists every year.

Most of the country’s foreign visitors prefer to sample the rich wildlife and exotic scenery, but it is believed that as soon as the Utalii channel sails, even the cultural aspect of Tanzania’s tourism will take effect.

The meeting involved people from the tourism, conferencing and hospitality industries, in the country, who took the opportunity to give their own opinions and contributions aimed at making the channel a successful output.

The country’s 16 National Parks, over 20 Game Reserves, a Conservation Area Authority, attractive landscapes, rich cultures and traditional practices are to form endless ingredients to the country’s first tourism channel.

But Dr Rioba warned: “This channel may help to increase the number of foreign visitors into the country, but again the attractive things they see on screen should reflect the reality once they land here,” he said.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Namibian Tourism industry set to Expand

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Windhoek - Namibia, long famous for its giant sand dunes and more recently as the birthplace of Angelina Jolie's baby, is now southern Africa's fastest-growing tourism market, the World Travel and Tourism Council said on Thursday.

"You are now forecast to be growing almost twice as fast as your neighbours. That's a very exciting opportunity," WTTC Vice President Richard Miller told an industry group, detailing the results of a survey of Namibia's tourism potential.

The WTTC, a global forum for tourism professionals, said Namibia's tourism real annual growth was projected at more than nine percent over the next decade, putting it ahead of other regional stars including Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania.

Tourism already contributes 16 percent to Namibia's gross domestic product and was expected to account for more than 18 000 jobs, or 4.7 percent of total employment in Namibia, in 2006, the WTTC study said.

"You are the fourth-fastest travel and tourism industry now in the world, that is a very high objective and I hope you will achieve it," Miller said.

Namibia has not in the past kept separate records of tourism earnings, making real growth hard to calculate.

But the country has set its sights on rapidly expanding its tourism offerings, which include vast game reserves, deserted Atlantic beaches, some of the world's highest sand dunes and proximity to South Africa, host of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Namibia got a publicity boost earlier this year when Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt chose the country for the birth of their daughter Shiloh Nouvel - sparking a media scramble that put Namibia on the front pages of celebrity magazines around the globe.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Tanzania Greenlights Hydrolelctric Plant In World Heritage Game Reserve

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President John Magufuli has called for bids on a 2,100-megawatt hydroelectric plant to be built in a World Heritage site renowned for its animal populations.

The project in the UNESCO-designated Selous Game Reserve would more than double the country’s power generation capacity, ending chronic electricity shortages.

The Energy and Minerals Ministry said it expected construction of the power plant to be completed within three years. Experts from Ethiopia, which is also building new hydro-electric dams, will advise the government on the project.

But construction of a dam in a major river that runs through the Selous Game Reserve could affect wildlife and their habitats downstream, in one of the largest protected areas in Africa, according to UNESCO. It is known for its elephants, black rhinoceroses and giraffes, among many other species.

“Selous is the only site in southern Tanzania to have been awarded World Heritage status,” added the World Wildlife (WWF) group in a report titled “6 things to know about Tanzania’s largest protected area – and why we save it.” This means it has “natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and be of common importance for present and future generations of humanity.”

Further, the project threatens existing wetlands and could harm the present livelihoods of more than 200,000 residents reliant on fishing downstream of the intended dam.

The government has also been criticized by environmental groups for granting Australia-based miner Mantra Resources rights to build a $400 million uranium mine in the sanctuary.

According to the Tanzania Tourism website, Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve and one of its most scenic wildlife destinations. Covering 50,000 square kilometres, it is amongst the largest protected areas in Africa and hosts over 350 species of birds and reptiles.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli, defending the project, said the dam and resulting reservoir would cover only 3 percent of the Selous, adding he would not listen to detractors who spoke “without facts.” The dam would be built “come rain, come sun,” he said.

WWF called on Tanzania’s government to consider alternative ways to generate electricity, which currently reaches few rural residents.