Tanzania Pass $1.7 Million Budget to Beef Up Tourism

Government agency Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has given the green light for proposed $1.7 million funds allocation to spice up the country's fastest growing sector. The industry has raked in millions of returns for the Government and had a positive economic impact on the country's GDP. Tourist arrivals in 2016 had soared by 12.9% to reach 1.2 million. The marketing strategy has panned out well for the sector.

TANAPA is looking to add more impetus to make the industry competitive regionally and continentally. Some of the funds will be used to support infrastructure development for ease transportation of the tourists in some areas where they are barely accessible. Upgrade of security to ensure that the lives of human beings and wild animals are secure and that both do not trespass against each other's territories.

At least five game reserves have been promoted to national parks and the parastatal could use some of the finances to beef them up. They include Biharamulo, Burigi, Kimisi, Ibanda and Rumanyika. It is vital to ensure their standards are at par to harvest as many tourists as possible and better the performance of the industry. This should guarantee better returns for the Government and good news to the country's GDP. They should also create employment opportunities for the communities around such as tour guides and game wardens.

As the Government makes such amendments, investors have been called upon to seize the business opportunities. The promotion campaign to gain the attention of tourists and investors in France, Italy and Germany should attract investors to the industry. Other development projects could use the investors' support and ease the financial burden on key stakeholders.

ALSO, READ: Tanzania beats South Africa as preferred tourist destination:

https://www.exchange.co.tz/tanzania-beats-south-africa-preferred-tourist-destination 

It is estimated that by 2028, Travel and Tourism could account for 795,000 jobs. The country has hosted a number of big names who have graced their presence to experience the wild of the country.

Tanzania Fastest Growing Destinations For Irish Tourist Revealed.

Tanzania, the Maldives and Hong Kong have been revealed as the top three fastest growing tourist destinations booked with Ireland’s largest independent travel specialists, Travel Counsellors. Since last November, bookings for the east African country of Tanzania have risen by 399%; the Indian Ocean archipelago, the Maldives by 196%; and Hong Kong by 135%.

On the top European destinations list for bookings, Travel Counsellors reports Spain in first position, up 6% in bookings, followed by Italy, Portugal and France.

Long haul destinations in general are also up across the board, with Travel Counsellors today reporting that bookings for winter 2018/2019 have increased by 26%. Summer 2019 long haul is also up, rising by 345% when compared to the same booking period last year.

As it has done in the past few years, the USA is topping the long haul booking list for the coming year, and is up 30%. This is followed by Mexico (up 36%); Australia (up 14%); United Arab Emirates (up 53%); and South Africa (up 22%).

The Maldives is becoming increasingly popular with honeymooners, couples, and families. Travel Counsellors say many of the islands offer all-inclusive so what appears to be expensive at the outset, actually is good value for money as you have little to spend when you get there.

Commenting on the report, General Manager of Travel Counsellors Ireland, Cathy Burke said, "The strength of long haul travel is continuing, and this is being led by greater direct access options, better value, and the rising cost of holidaying in Europe. For these reasons, bookings in the past nine months for next summer have tripled when compared to the same period last year."