France Tops in Tanzania Tourist Arrivals

Dar es Salaam. France has overshadowed America as the top inbound travel market for Tanzania since the latter re-opened its skies on June 1, after three months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Data from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) shows France is leading, overtaking the US in terms of tourist arrival numbers over the three months of July, August, and September 2020.

The Tanapa assistant conservation commissioner in-charge of the Business portfolio, Ms. Beatrice Kessy, said a total of 3,062 French tourists visited national parks during the period under review, elevating France to the top - and outshining the US with 2,327-holidaymakers.

Third, on the list of key Tanzania’s tourist source markets at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic was Germany - with 1,317 visitors - followed by the UK with 1,051 tourists in the fourth position.

Spain, in the fifth spot, supplied Tanzania with 1,050 holidaymakers, trailed by India with 844 travelers who sampled the country’s bestowed natural attractions.

Switzerland holds the seventh position - with 727 tourists - followed by Russia in the eighth slot (669 visitors); The Netherlands (431 tourists) in ninth place. The tenth was Australia, with 367 vacationers during the period under review. This implies that France has not only cast a vote of confidence in Tanzania’s approach to handling the Covid-19 pandemic; it also becomes a true ally in helping the country to revive its tourism industry in a bid to spur other businesses, recover thousands of lost jobs, spawn and pump revenue into public coffers.

“We are grateful to French tourists for casting a vote of confidence in Tanzania as a safe destination. Their arrival plays a key role in spreading trust more widely, with benefits going far beyond the tourism industry,” Ms. Kessy explained. The feat has not occurred by default; rather, it was out of painstaking joint efforts spearheaded by the Tanzania Ambassador to France, Mr. Samwel Shelukindo.

“My office worked day and night with leading tourism stakeholders to bring French tourists: the Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club (MKSC), Axium by Parker, and the Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB).

“We organized several meetings with tour operators and mainstream media to reassure them that Tanzania was a safe destination amid the Covic-19 pandemic,” Mr. Shelukindo said over the phone from Paris.

He said President John Magufuli’s stance to keep the country free from lock-downs - and to warmly welcome tourists - had boosted their initiatives. MKSC founder Denis Lebouteux said in most cases, French tourists have been flocking into Tanzania during low seasons when the country’s national parks and hotels are really hungry to fill empty rooms.

Tourist Camp Blocks Wildebeest from Crossing Mara River.

The wildebeest migration is one of the greatest tourism spectacles that the Serengeti and Maasai Mara parks enjoy between July and October with thousands of tourists making the journey from across the world.

IN SUMMARY

This year despite the outbreak of the Covid-19, this has not stopped the animal's migration as they search for new pastures. The wildebeest migration is one of the greatest tourism spectacles that the Serengeti and Maasai Mara parks enjoy between July and October with thousands of tourists making the journey from across the world.

This year despite the outbreak of the Covid-19, this has not stopped the animal's migration as they search for new pastures. But this freedom is being threatened after a video emerged of a group people believed to be workers of tourist camp in the Maasai Mara forcing a herd of the wildebeests to change their route after crossing the river

The water pressure apparently caused a stampede and an unknown number of animals are said to have died as a result. Kenya’s Tourism Minister Najib Balala has demanded the removal of a tourist camp built next to the Mara River which is blocking the famous wildebeest crossing. 

The video elicited reactions online prompted the minister to issue a statement. “I have discussed with Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, about the camp built beside the Mara River, blocking the Wildebeest crossing. It’s very disturbing and we expect the Governor to take action and have the camp removed,” Balala said.

“I have also insisted that we need a Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan, that will not only enhance biodiversity but also protect our wildlife migratory corridors, from greed!" The wildebeest migration which is one of the wonders of the world is an annual event that sees over two million animals migrate from the Maasai Mara to Serengeti. Nature lovers have called it the greatest show on earth.

The wildebeest after entering the Mara, head northwards towards River Talek, where they graze and mate every year on their journey of chasing greener pastures. From July to October, the wildebeests move between the western and eastern sides of the river, crossing it at different points, almost daily, to the Mara triangle side of the reserve, and back to the greater Mara.

There have been concerns over illegal tourist resorts in the reserve with animal lovers calling for their removal.

The Maasai Mara Management Plan which was supposed to be ready by August 31 is aimed at controlling the flow of tourists and investments into the world-famous reserve in a bid to protect its ecosystem, is yet to be gazetted.

The plan will see the government shut down some tourist facilities and issue permits to lodge developers in a more controlled manner. Balala had visited the Mara last month and said the plan is expected to preserve the Mara and reverse the damage caused by high human traffic and commercial interests in the reserve.

Digital Registration of Hotel Visitors in Tanzania Draw mixed Reactions

Visitors who spend time in public accommodation facilities such as hotels and guest houses in Tanzania are now required to register digitally on the MNRT portal according to a new directive by the ministry of natural resources and tourism.

IN SUMMARY

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) conducted a monthly survey of hotel statistics to determine hotel bed occupancy rate in December last year, which showed that the occupancy rate was 53.8 percent.

Dar es Salaam. Visitors who spend time in public accommodation facilities such as hotels and guest houses in Tanzania are now required to register digitally on the MNRT portal according to a new directive by the ministry of natural resources and tourism. This, the ministry says is a move to get a clear picture of both domestic and international travelers.

However, hotel operators are worried that the system may have some privacy drawbacks on the part of some visitors.

“We have also read the advertisement, and we are only waiting for the right time when we can be better informed on what the system entails before we voice our reservations to the government regarding the system,” said the Hotels Association of Tanzania (HAT) chief executive officer Nura-Lisa Karamagi.

But, according to the acting director of Tourism, Mr. Philip Chitaunga, the system will treat privacy information as confidential, and that the government was only seeking to get accurate information regarding the number of domestic and international tourists in the country.

“Hotels that would be involved are the ones that receive tourists, and not guest houses. The Tourism Act directs this to be conducted for registered tourist facilities,” Mr. Chitaunga said.

He told the NCA yesterday when the paper sought clarifications on the public notice which states that the Tourism Act (No 29 of 2008) and The Tourism Accommodation Facilities Regulations (Amendment) 2019, directed owners of accommodation facilities to register foreign and domestic visitors through the ministry’s portal by October 1 this year.

Last year’s statistics released by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) show that the number of tourist arrivals increased to 1.5 million in 2018, up from 1.3 million in 2017. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) conducted a monthly survey of hotel statistics to determine hotel bed occupancy rate in December last year, which showed that the occupancy rate was 53.8 percent.

He said that, for many years, NBS has not had official statistics of local tourists, while the ministry has been relying on the information on park gates to various tourist attractions. There indeed are large numbers of people traveling to other parts for leisure.

“This new system will integrate all the systems of tourism institutions that fall under the ministry, he said - adding that “the aim is to improve our statistics so that we can determine the impact of tourism on the economy.”

According to him, the system will start in Arusha, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Manyara, and Kilimanjaro regions, which are the leading tourist destinations. The system will finally be countrywide. He told Tanzanians not to fear the system, saying that Tanzania was late in adopting the system, which has been operating in many other countries, across the world.

For her part, the HAT chief executive, Nura-Lisa Karamagi said: “We will know the good and bad aspects of the system after training for it. We work with assorted agencies, and they want their clients’ information to be kept confidential - and when they leave the country, it is deleted permanently. We don’t know how the system will work out as yet.” 

Mandatory Quarantine for Tourist Returning from Tanzania Hurting Tourism

In Summary:

Whereas Tanzania has lifted restrictions on tourists, in some countries tourists returning from Tanzania are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in their home countries something that tour operators say it is hurting business

Arusha. Local tour operators have asked the government to back their plea to foreign countries to remove a 14-day mandatory quarantine on tourists returning from Tanzania.

Some company owners who spoke with The Citizen in separate interviews explained that the requirement to stay in quarantine in their home countries is a major challenge at the moment. The executive secretary of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato), Mr. Sirili Akko, said the restrictions were not good for the industry to recover quickly.

“We are very grateful that the government has done a very good job in the fight against Covid-19 and now tourists have started coming to the country,” he said. Mr. Shabir Mohammed said they, as tour operators, still ask the government to continue holding dialogues with embassies in European countries, the United States, and other places to continue marketing ‘Destination Tanzanian’.

“The method used by the Tanzanian government to fight the coronavirus pandemic is well known in the world at the moment, but there are still nations that do not understand us…. so there are restrictions on for those who visit Tanzania including a requirement for 14-day mandatory quarantine,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed said that is costly for them as they are supposed to stay isolated at their own cost. The chairman of the Tanzania Tour Guides Association, Mr. Emmanuel Mollel, said tourists had not returned in large numbers as usual due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Still the situation is not as good as usual and we think maybe in the future the situation could be better but if there are challenges, we ask for them to be worked on,” he said.

However, in ensuring tourists return to the country, the Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB) held meetings with ambassadors from several countries to tell them that Tanzania is safe. TTB managing director Devota Mdachi said they have largely succeeded in attracting tourists from different countries to come to the country especially after Covid-19 was under control.

Tanzania It is Safe, Visit Now.

Tanzania: JPM - Tanzania Safe for Tourists

AS Tanzania continues to enjoy a growing number of international tourist arrivals, President John Magufuli has assured visitors that the country is safe from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The novel Coronavirus is still wreaking havoc across the globe but things look quite different in Tanzania, where everything, including social and economic activities, has long returned to normalcy.

The country has done a good job in controlling the deadly respiratory disease, with Covid-19 cases significantly reduced and most of the special Coronavirus care centers closed as a result.

And last month, the government announced to reopen the country for tourists under normal and regular 'pre-COVID-19' border rules and international travelers have responded positively to the decision.

Speaking yesterday shortly after a swearing-in event of the government officials, who were appointed last week, President Magufuli insisted the country was safe and urged tourists to visit the country's attractive destinations of their choice.

"Right now, there is an increase in the number of international airlines that have resumed their flights to Tanzania, bringing in tourists," said Dr Magufuli in a live broadcast from the Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

President Magufuli hailed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB) for continued efforts of marketing the country's tourism attractions and putting in place all preventive measures against further spread of the pandemic, in line with ensuring the safety of all tourists.

"TTB under the chairmanship of Judge (Rtd), Thomas Mihayo has put a lot of efforts that are now paying off, this is a good spirit that all of us would want to see," acknowledged the head of state.

"Tanzania is safe, that is why now there is no one who has put on facemask here, this is really encouraging," added the Head of State.

Among officials who were sworn in yesterday was the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Aloyce Nzuki and the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr. Allan Kijazi, who is also the Director-General of Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).

During his speech, Dr. Magufuli instructed the duo to work hard, putting the national interest ahead of everything, as their docket is among the key drivers of the country's economy.

The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hamisi Kigwangalla said in Dar es Salaam recently that currently, there are three airlines coming to Tanzania, naming them as Qatar, Ethiopian, and KLM Royal Dutch passenger flights, which resumed operations on July 1 this year.

"At the beginning, Qatar Airways was flying to Dar es Salaam three times a week, but now it has resumed weekly flights and it flies to Zanzibar four times a week," he added.

The minister further said that more airlines including Swiss Air and Emirates have also pledged to resume operations any time and this will increase the flow of visitors.

Dr. Kigwangalla was speaking at the opening of Covid-19 Preparedness and Response to aviation stakeholders meeting held at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.

He said the government came up with the guidelines to protect both the public and visitors from the Covid-19 pandemic as it reopened its airspace.

"I call upon aviation stakeholders especially staff working at the major airports to observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)...you should not relax, because some of the visitors are coming with fear and stress, thus youth should build their trust and confidence by showing them how the country is serious in observing the required international standards," Dr. Kigwangalla said.

Tanzania Hunts for Tourist Hotel Investors in its new Capital

Tanzania government had set open investment space for high-class hotels in the new capital city Dodoma, targeting to attract international visitors and investors to the new capital, lacking reliable and adequate accommodation facilities.

The new capital city of Tanzania is lacking hotels with prestigious standards to accommodate diplomats, international business executives, and high-ranking officials touring the city for business, political and diplomatic gatherings.

Despite its current status, Dodoma has been developed with only three hotels of the Three Star Class. These are Fantasy Village (22 rooms), Nashera Hotel (52 rooms), and Dodoma Hotel (91 rooms).

Deputy Minister for Natural Resources Mr. Constantine Kanyasu had admitted to seeing the new capital city of Tanzania lacking international, Five Star hotels. Kanyasu said the government is now attracting investments in hotels, aiming to raise the status of the new capital.

Dodoma city has only 428 rooms in its 24 hotels offering standard accommodation of a Three Star Class. Kanyasu said that the government had allocated areas for construction of hotels and other tourist service facilities, aiming to raise the status of the new capital city of Tanzania.

Tanzania government had relocated its entire administrative political and government services to Dodoma with all ministries and key departments. Dar es Salaam, now Tanzania’s commercial city is the leading capital with 242 hotels of international standards, ranging from three to Five Star class.

There are 177 hotels rated One to Three Star Class, 31 Four Star Class, and 19 Five Star Class, all established in Dar es Salaam with about 24,000 rooms.

Tanzania is now targeting Conference and Meeting tourism to attract more visitors.

Currently, under implementation, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has targeted to attract conferences and business visitors to hold international conferences in Tanzania, aiming to pull participants who would book hotels, mostly in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and other cities including the new capital, Dodoma.

The Ministry of Tourism is working jointly with TTB to attract conferences and events to take place in Tanzania where participants would book hotels then attract more investments in the hotel industry to increase the number of bedrooms and conference facilities.

The Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) and the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es salaam are the two leading conference centers in Tanzania with capacities to hold several meetings at the same time. AICC has 10 meeting rooms with a seating capacity from 10 in the break-out rooms to 1,350 delegates in the main auditorium. The average total occupancy for all the meeting rooms when in use is about 2,500 delegates.

The Centre hosts an average of 100 meetings each year with a total average number of 11,000 conference delegates per year, mostly local meetings organized by the Tanzania government.

Regionally, Rwanda and South Africa have been rated the leading African nations in conference tourism with Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) blocs

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, Dodoma is the official capital of Tanzania. It has a population of over 400,000 people making it the fourth largest city in Tanzania and it is home to the country’s parliament. The city stands on the Great North Road that connects Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt, famous for tourists driving from the southern point of Africa to the northern point of the continent.

Closer to Tanzania’s leading northern Tanzania tourist circuit and the Kenyan tourist capital Nairobi, Dodoma has been identified as a sleeping tourist investment area. Dodoma has a rich agricultural society and a budding wine industry, with small-scale farming being most dominant in the city. The sun-bathed landscape is impressive with a Safari feel to it. It has an abundance of sunshine all year round making worth a holiday breathtaking.

Lion Rock, an outcrop perching in the city outskirts, creating a beautiful natural attraction that brings memories of the famous cartoon, the Lion King. The rock gives an elevated view of Dodoma and is quite a breathtaking attraction. It is a favorite destination for families and friends.

Tanzania re-opens to Tourism - By ATTA®

Following meetings held on 11 and 12 May, the United Republic of Tanzania has announced that thanks to the decrease in COVID-19 cases tourism will restart in Tanzania from 18 May 2020. Since 18 May 2020, international commercial flight operations have been resumed.

All travelers, whether foreigners or returning residents entering or leaving the United Republic of Tanzania will be subjected to enhanced screening for COVID-19 infection. There will be no 14 days mandatory quarantine Strict infection Prevention and Control measures are still to be followed; physical distancing, hand hygiene, mask wear all remain mandatory.

All international arriving passengers shall dispose-off their masks after use during travel at designated waste collection containers upon arrival Airports will all have to install Sanitizers at multiple locations all arriving/departing air operators must provide advance passenger Information to allow the points of entry authorities to prevent possible high-risk passengers to conclude, tourism will re-start in Tanzania. The Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources will ensure that the health of Tanzanians is safe and a priority. Welcome to Tanzania and Tanzania Unforgettable!

Tanzania: New Tourism Promo Initiative Set for Launch in Dar

MINISTER for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hamisi Kigwangalla, is expected to launch a domestic promotion initiative, whose players will be key stakeholders in the tourism sector in Dar es Salaam on July 1, this year.

A press release issued in the city yesterday said the blueprint dubbed 'Domestic Tourism Promotion Initiative (DTPI)' targeted to raise the awareness of Tanzanians and foreigners living in the country on various touristic attractions available in the country.

"Our efforts are specifically designed to complement the government's efforts to promote domestic tourism and also mitigate the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has hit hard the tourism sector," said Steering Committee Chairman of the campaign Mkumbwa Ally in the press release.

He said the initiative was the joint effort between St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) and Real PR Solutions, an integrated communications company with a specialty in public relations, government relations, corporate event management, and sports marketing, among other things.

He said the inauguration campaign under the theme "Utalii Mpya. Fursa Mpya" would also be attended by senior government officials and key stakeholders in the tourism sector such as the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Tanzania Tour Operators (TATO), and Tanzania Hotels Association.

Others are Tanzania Local Tour Operators (TLTO), Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Tanzania Tourism Confederation, Tanzania Private Sector Foundations, Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS), among others.

"We have also invited the Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports as well the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children due to their key role in supporting the tourism sector," said Mr. Ally.

He highlighted some of the key features of the campaign to be conducted in phases as training of the youth across the country in various areas in the tourism value chain further citing them as basic skills on tour guide profession, porter services, customer service training in the hospitality industry such as hotels and restaurants, taxi operators and skills to open tour companies.

"This training to benefit over 100,000 people will focus on the unemployed youth from Form Four and above who have passion in the tourism sector, but lack knowledge on how to move forward. We will start rolling out this campaign in the Lake Zone, covering Mwanza,

Geita, Kagera, Simiyu, Mara, and Shinyanga, then move to other zones across the country. There will be also an array of cultural and sporting events which will form part of the campaign," noted the chairman.

Mr. Ally further noted that the events would be a forum to bring people together so that their businesses could re-open at full capacity and support the national economy and as well as sustain and create more jobs, while economies were still grappling with the coronavirus effects, adding: "all health precautions will be taken into account to control the spread of the coronavirus at all these events."

Tanzania Tour Operators Build $50,000 Lounge at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Tour operators in Tanzania have unveiled a pioneer private, state-of-the-art, waiting for the lounge at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) as they seek to offer holidaymakers a hassle-free welcome after a stint of COVID-19.

Tanzanian authorities have reopened its skies for international passenger flights from June 1, 2020, becoming the first country in the East African community to welcome tourists to sample its endowed attractions.

Isack Kamwelwe, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, said in a statement that business, humanitarian, diplomatic, emergency and other special flights were allowed to land, take off and fly across the country’s skies as it was before.

He said the opening of the skies followed an announcement by President John Magufuli that the number of COVID-19 infections has been dropping citing statistics from health centers treating COVID-19 patients across the country.

The waiting Lounge, a brainchild of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), will offer the tourists, tour guides and drivers a comfort zone and keep distance in the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.

TATO Trustee Mr. Merwyn Nunes said that the free-of-charge lounge the first of its kind offers, for tourists and tour guides comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal itself, such as more comfortable seating, quiet environments and often better access to customer service representatives.

Other services may include private meetings, telephones, and wireless Internet access and other amenities, along with provisions to enhance passenger comforts, such as drinks, snacks, and magazines.

“This is the pioneer private waiting lounge where our dearest tourists and our tour guide drivers will be comfortably meet before they start the journey to various national parks,” said TATO CEO, Mr. Sirili Akko during the launching by the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hamis Kigwangallah.

The lounge costing a staggering $50,000, was made possible through Public-Private-Partnership (PPPs) championed by TATO. The association itself bankrolled half of the amount, with the remainder being footed by Tanzania National Parks and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).

“I’m happy that this lounge is a true manifestation of PPPs in action. It will also save as KIA’s business center” he said.

Launching the lounge, the Tourism Minister, Dr. Kigwangala commended the initiative, arguing that TATO has been an outstanding association and a role model for driving true public-private-partnership through action.

He directed the Airport authorities to maintain and keep the ultra-modern lounge working.

Dr. Kigwangalla was in the company of Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Godwin Mollel who was impressed by the open-air style building for the public at this time where the World is grappling with COVID-19 pandemic.

TATO, the 37-year-old umbrella organization with over 300 plus-members, becomes an efficient advocacy agency for a multi-billion dollar industry, with its base in northern safari capital of Arusha.

The association also provides unparalleled networking opportunities for its members, allowing individuals tour operators or companies to connect with their peers, mentors, and other industry leaders and policymakers.

Tanzania’s Zanzibar Reopens for Tourism Activities

Tanzania’s Zanzibar authorities on Saturday announced the reopening of tourism activities after they were shut down on March 20 following the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Zanzibar today has opened its tourism activities to normal both for charter flights and scheduled flights,” said Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Zanzibar’s Minister of Information, Tourism, and Heritage.

“All tourist hotels, restaurants, and bars in Zanzibar are open from today,” Kombo told NCA when reached by phone.

Kombo added all travelers to Zanzibar should hold medical health insurance and they should follow strict guidelines on prevention of COVID-19 imposed by Zanzibar health authorities.

He said arriving travelers will undergo screening at entry points and those found with symptoms will be sent to a designated isolation center for further tests.

On March 20, Tanzania’s Zanzibar authorities announced the shutting down of all tourist hotels and a ban on all tourist flights as protective measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism is Zanzibar’s largest economic sector and essential for local socio-economic stability.

Tanzania: Higher Precautions As Tourist Flow Rises

THE Tanzanian government and the private sector have teamed up to put in place enhanced health services and precautions as the tourism season start with tourists jetting into the country.

Having received the first passenger plane on Monday evening, the government has facilitated and enhanced services at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) in Arusha, Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital in Kilimanjaro and set some camps in northern zone national parks as emergency response centres for susceptible Coronavirus cases.

The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hamisi Kigwangala (pictured) and the Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Dr Godwin Mollel, say they are satisfied with enhanced preparations and facilities at the designated hospitals and centres.

They made a tour at ALMC yesterday morning, saw the emergency rooms, wards as well as those set for dialysis and ambulances fully equipped with the necessary equipment that meet the standards required by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and was guided and briefed by the ALMC Director, Dr Paul Kisanga, and the Head of Emergency Services, Dr Peter Mabula.

The initiative has been made in collaboration with Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO). Dr Kisanga said the heightened preparatory measures will ensure safety and healthy stay of tourists and if it happens there was any case of Covid-19, it would be handled properly and ensure the tourists end their tour and return home safely.

"We are well prepared to handle professionally and at the highest standards any cases of coronavirus suspects here as we are well equipped and have specialists in the area; So when they are brought in here, they, their families and friends should rest. assured that they are in safe hands and will leave fully recovered," said Dr Kisanga.

Dr Mabula revealed that the ambulances are of state-of-the-art standard in that they are equipped to serve patients before they reach designated hospitals and there is a separation between where suspects or patients lie and the drivers while service providers will be in special Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

He said they also had 46 well-trained traffic police on trauma management. He said in any eventuality, patients will be taken good care of and brought to the hospital as soon as possible for further treatment and possible referrals.

Dr Kigwangala expressed gratitude to the Lutheran Church and management of ALMC as well as to TATO for their efforts in ensuring that tourists are protected and are safe and that many more now know that Tanzania is a safe destination and will be coming over in big numbers.

"We are satisfied by the efforts taken; The facilities are in good shape, and we have enough equipment and staff who are capable of serving tourists efficiently. "The world should know that we are now receiving tourists and expect more in the coming days. As medical doctors, we have seen the facilities at the designated hospitals and centres with all emergency response specialists for different diseases, including Covid-19," said Dr Kigwangala.

He assured prospective tourists of a safe stay, safaris and enjoyment on beaches and that isolation camps had been established and are well equipped; There are mobile clinics at tourist hotspots, with helicopter services to fly susceptible cases to designated hospitals.

"We have everything needed in place-the well-equipped designated hospitals, isolation centres and camps in tourist hotspots and helicopter ambulances to fly them from wherever they are and bring them to the designated hospitals. We have competent personnel in emergency services and in general services as well. We are ready and have started receiving tourists," said the minister.

The minister said that COVID- 19 cases had dropped so much so that the thing is no more a pandemic but rather endemic as the government, through President John Magufuli intervention initiatives, have flattened the curve after a short period.

The northern tourism zone attracts the highest percentage of tourists who tour the country. He said some people had initially panicked when the disease emerged, but given the assurance of quality services, the panic has eased considerably.

Dr Mollel, who was recently appointed by the president to replace Dr Faustine Ndungulile, said the country was safe and tourists would get special health care in precautionary as well as treatment spheres.

Tanzania: Tourist Facilities to Undergo COVID-19 Certification

All hotels and tourist facilities in the country will from now onwards bear Covid-19 certifications, a move that seeks to protect visiting tourists from contracting and spreading the deadly viral disease.

Such certifications will be placed at the entrances of the facilities with the government eager to descend on those found flouting the regulations.

This features among the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), proposed by tourism stakeholders who converged here for a two-day brainstorming session on how to cushion the 2tri/-a year sector against the effects of the novel Coronavirus.

Among the raft of issues, the stakeholders also agreed that every tourism entity must appoint and adequately train a Covid-19 Liaison Officer who will be the point of contact with the Health Ministry.

"The Liaison Officer should keep abreast of health protocols and preventive measures," read part of the SOPs seen by the 'Daily News' yesterday.

The stakeholders also proposed that all tourism operators who are required to interact with their guests, to protect themselves by having sanitizers and gloves available at their workplaces such as vehicles, stalls, and vessels.

According to the SOPs, all arriving flights are required to have an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), compliant so as to allow Tanzania's Immigration Department and Airport Authorities to receive and interrogate the flight manifest for possible high-risk passengers.

The players agreed that non-APIS compliant flights be notified that their passengers will be either subjected to the Health Ministry's screening or have their service denied entry into the country.

"Any passenger aboard the flight who has traveled to and from any of the listed high-risk countries or regions may be subjected to tests by the Ministry of Health Officials."

According to Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Dr. Hamisi Kigwangalla, who also chaired the two-day brainstorming meeting, the SOPs will be tabled within different levels of the government so that they can be adopted as measures to protect the lucrative industry and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We came up with these measures because as a country, we aren't sure as to when the world will become safe again... .but what we can do is to gather our strengths and resources and reopen the sector while taking great caution to protect ourselves and tourists that we so highly value," alluded the Minister.

Meanwhile, Dr Kigwangalla has tasked his ministry to establish a Tourism Covid-19 Response Team which would among other things, deal with cross-cutting issues such as creating a communication strategy, to explain to the world safety measures taken by the country towards the promotion of destination Tanzania.

The team will also conduct a review of business bylaws within the sector to include insurance policies that will enable a tourist to be evacuated in case of a health emergency.

Dr. Kigwangalla also directed his ministry to conduct frequent training to personnel working in the tourism and hospitality sectors on how to receive and cater to tourists during the pandemic.

"We must ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken to protect both our staff and tourists as well," the minister observed.

Tourism remains vital to the country's economic growth.

But moving his ministry's budget for the next fiscal year 2020/2021, Dr. Kigwangalla noted the sector is projected to face its worst fiscal crisis in history because of the coronavirus pandemic, characterized by massive job losses and an estimated 2.1trn/-decrease in revenue collections.

The ministry warned that nearly 500,000 people will be rendered jobless if the situation does not normalize by October 2020, with revenue collections shrinking to 598m/-from 2.6trn/-.

Dr Kigwangalla explained that the novel virus had seriously affected the industry and is anticipated to reduce direct employment from 623,000 to 146,000. He added that the number of tourists is likely to drop from 1,867,000 to 437,000 arrivals.

Tanzania - COVID-19 Angle to Tourism Assessed

THE government says it is assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, hinting that the situation on the ground shows that the sector has been hit hard.

The assessment on the impact of the pandemic on tourism is being conducted in the wake of the report released recently by Africa's largest online marketplace for safari tours that shows a 75 percent drop in new safari bookings.

A recent survey conducted by Africa's online marketplace for safari tours known as Safari- Bookings.com shows that out of the 443 tour operators involved, more than 90 percent experience a huge drop in new bookings.

"This decline is a direct consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. In a worrying result for the safari industry, the trend of significant declines in new bookings and large scale cancellations of existing bookings continues," the report states in part.

"This is a major blow for Africa's safari industry, the wildlife reserves that rely on its revenue and the local people employed in the safari industry," noted the report.

Some of the operators have been quoted in the survey saying that the tourism industry was on its knees both on the international and domestic fronts.

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Dr. Hamisi Kigwangalla confirmed the grim scenario via a live televised local news programme on Friday.

According to him, tourism is among sectors that had been hit the hardest within the country and worldwide.

"Times have become so tough; projecting on who is safe and who is not is becoming difficult," noted Dr. Kingwangalla.

He attributed that to massive cancellation of international flights, including Turkish Airline, Emirates, KLM, Qatar and Swiss Air from March 25 to 28, this year.

Such outcomes follow the various lockdown measures put in place by countries to avert any further spread of the virus and minimizing the flow of tourists to Tanzania.

He could not quickly estimate the impact, noting that in the past two weeks, the government had started assessing the contagion effects of the novel coronavirus to the country's economic growth.

Dr. Kingwangalla noted that the cancellation of flights, closing down of hotels, lodges, restaurants, among other recreational facilities can be felt, considering that tourism offers a large share of jobs in the country after agriculture.

"I can admit that the sector could be among the first affected... the many tourists who had made bookings to visit the country's attraction sites have been canceled, affecting the many people employed in the sector," he said.

As a key person in charge of the sector, he expressed commitment to ensure that all directives and experts' advice was being adhered to during this difficult period.

He further remarked: "There is a sense of uncertainty amongst operators but also a concern for the welfare of their clients. As we fight this virus pandemic, we advise our customers to stay safe and obey government advice to overcome it. As safari experts, we also advise clients not to cancel their safaris just postpone in order for us to save tourism worldwide as no situation is permanent."

Covid-19 Reality Begins to Settle in as Tourism Takes a Hit

Arusha. Fleets of tourist vehicles grounded, empty hotel rooms and reduced international arrivals tell it all. The impact of coronavirus, a highly infectious disease now ravaging the world, has hit Arusha hard, the country’s tourism hub.

“This is the worst crisis to hit our tourism sector for years. But the worst thing is: we don’t know how long it will last,” lamented Mr Andrew Malalika, a tour operator.

But the director of the city-based Jackpot Tours and Safaris believes the government can still intervene and salvage the situation.

“The government can intervene by scrapping some taxes. This can enable us to manage the situation and restore the sector,” he argued.

He said tourist arrivals have sharply dropped because the major tourism markets for Tanzania have been badly hit by Covid-19.

These include the United States, the leading source of visitors to Tanzania, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. A hastily-convened meeting of tour operators on Wednesday discussed how the tourism chain in revenue has been hard hit.

“Even if it (the disease) stops now, it will take a long time to recover. The best recovery plan is to reduce the tax burden on us,” he told The Citizen. Mr Malalika, who is a member of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato), said he lost 16 clients last week due to cancellations.

He also appealed to the government to close the country’s borders so as to restrict the entry of people from countries most affected by Covid-19. Mr Paul Madinda, the general manager of the imposing Palace Hotel, said for the first time the eight-year-old hotel had no guest yesterday.

“We had eight guests who checked out on Wednesday,” he remarked, attributing the havoc to the global pandemic.

The 200-room hotel near the iconic Clock Tower is a favourite destination for business travellers and officials of the regional and international organizations.

Dr Eliamani Laltaika, a university lecturer, said although Tanzania has not closed borders like other countries, tourists still could not get in due to the lockdown in Europe.

“America is our major market but the tourists coming to Tanzania have to pass through hard-hit Europe,” he pointed out. The university don said Arusha, in particular, has been gripped with uncertainty because it is largely dependent on tourism.

An official of the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) reached said some meetings have been cancelled but could not give details. Unconfirmed reports say a reputable tour company has sent on a compulsory leaver all workers due to massive cancellation.

Others are said to have refunded tourists who had paid their bookings in advance as is the norm.

The East African Business Council (EABC), a regional organization based here is another casualty of Covid-19 which has been reported in three of the six states in the bloc.

It has called off the Industrialization Business Convention and CEO Round Table Breakfast Meeting which was to take place in Dar es Salaam on March 30 and March 31, this year.

Tanzania wins Best International Wildlife Destination

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - Tanzania continued to cement its status as among the world’s best tourism destinations after scooping the Best International Wildlife Destination award at the Outlook Travellers Awards (OLTA) held in India at the weekend.

The country achieved the feat ahead of its wildlife tourism rivals South Africa and Kenya, in OLTA’s 2020 edition announced in New Delhi on Sunday.

In his acceptance speech, Tanzania High Commissioner to India, Mr. Baraka Luvanda said the award will further cement the country’s status as one of the best global travel destinations.

“We believe that through this award and the Outlook Traveller Magazine’s, more people will be able to know about destination Tanzania and what it has to offer to a wide spectrum of clientele as one of Africa’s leading travel destination,” said the envoy in a speech posted on Tanzania’s High Commission website.

He told the delegates gathered at the high profile event that Tanzania will not be carried away with the feat; instead, take a lead role in marketing its tourism destinations as well strategizing on tapping from emerging markets from the traditional ones.

https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/tanzania-wins-best-international-wildlife-destination

Zanzibar now bans Italy flights as Coronavirus fears takes toll

Dar es Salaam. The outbreak of coronavirus infection has already adversely impacted the affected hospitality and tourism sectors of the economy as most of the would-be visitors have been forced to cancel already-planned their scheduled tours visit of the country.

This is basically due to fear of contracting the deadly virus on their way, compounded by foreign or travel bans imposed by some world their countries.

Meanwhile, Yesterday, the Revolution Government of Zanzibar banned visitors from Italy from entering the Isles for fear of the coronavirus malady.

The directive was issued by the Health Minister, Mr Hamad Rashid. Several coronavirus cases have been reported in Italy.

Indeed, the government has have confirmed that quite a number of tourists, who were expected to arrive in the country during in the foreseeable near future - and especially with summer virtually just around the corner - and in the summer, have cancelled their plans on the back of the c due to Coronavirus threat.

Speaking on the matter, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, Mr Costantine Kanyasu, freely admitted that the coronavirus outbreak of Coronavirus has bound to play merry hell with hit hard the tourism business, currently one of Tanzania’s leading foreign currency earner sector.

Mr Kanyasu, who I couldn't disclose any reveal the figures, nonetheless said due to the fact that China has banned its nationals from travelling abroad as a measure to limit the spread of the disease, is a blow to Tanzania’s tourism business sector in the country.

The permanent secretary at the Tourism Ministry, of Tourism and Natural Resources Professor Adolf Mkenda, said if the coronavirus disaster it wouldn't be contained soon, it will seriously impact ‘kill’ tourism not only in Tanzania but also across much of the world.

Prof Mkenda said Tanzania was set to participate in a tourism fair which was slated to be held in Beijing later this year. B but the organisers cancelled the event on account of due the outbreak of coronavirus.

Speaking in the Parliament in April 2019, Prime Minister Mr Kassim Majaliwa revealed that revenues from Tanzania’s tourism sector increased by 7.13 percent % in 2018 compared to 2017. This was largely thanks to considerable the increase in arrivals from foreign visitors, the government disclosed. Tourism and hospitality revenues reached $USD 2.43 billion in 2018 -, up from $USD 2.19 billion in 2017 -, while the number of tourist arrivals totalled 1.49 million in 2018, compared with 1.33 million, in the previous year.

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said in a presentation to parliament.

However, hotel operators also claimed that the hospitality industry is bound to have also suffered due to the outbreak of coronavirus, which has already spread to some hit about 51 countries across the world - with, China being the most adversely affected so far.

Yesterday, the Revolution Government of Zanzibar has banned visitor tourists from Italy from entering the Isles for fear of due to the breakdown of Coronavirus malady.

The directive was issued by the Health Minister, Mr Hamad Rashid. Several coronavirus cases have been reported in Italy.

Ms Nuralisa Karamagi of the Tanzania Hotels Association of Tanzania (HAT) Ms Nuralisa Karamagi said the coronavirus outbreak which started in Wuhan, China, is already adversely impacting the travel and hospitality industry not only in Tanzania but across the world.just like in many parts of the World the break of Coronavirus has heavily affected the hospitality and travel industry.

For example, she said, that the total number of the would-be tourists, who had made provisional bookings to tour Tanzania during the summer this year has declined significantly compared to the previous year.

Ms Karamagi revealed that some of the hotels had s reported that a number of tourists, who had made provisional bookings in various hotels in the country ahead of summer, which is tourism high season in the country has dropped by between 40 per cent and 70 per cent compare to last year. This is undoubtedly on account of the coronavirus outbreak which was first reported in China towards the end of December 2019,

“The number of tourists, who had made provision bookings in the same period last year, the hotels have reported the number have dropped by between 40 per cent and 70 per cent due to Coronavirus threat,” said Ms Karamagi said.

To counter the adverse impact, Ms Karamagi said some hotels have been negotiating with prospective tourists those, who had already made travel-cum-hotel the bookings in Tanzania to push back their travelling schedules until the outbreak is effectively contained. She also advised the government and other stakeholders in the sector to do the same.

A former national chairman of the Tanzania Business Community, Mr Johnson Minja, said the outbreak disease has also negatively affected trade in the Kariakoo and other major markets in different metropolises.

According to Mr Minja, him importers have now shifted away from China and to India, Taiwan and Vietnam. However, he noted Mr Minja said that the volumes of cargo imported from that three countries are small and more expensive compare with similar to that imported from China.

“currently there is already a scarcity of commodities at the Kariakoo Central Market in Dar es Salaam because due to the fact we currently aren’t importing much from China due to the coronavirus outbreak,” he said, adding that this is something is worrisome as consumer that the prices will soar if the disease wouldn't effectively be contained soonest,” said Mr Minja.

Due to existing good travel links with China, Tanzania faces a risk of transmission of the coronavirus (code-named ‘COVID-19’), whose epicentre is the Chinese city, Wuhan. The disease has already spread so far affected to 51 countries around the world, and killed more than 3,500 people, while more than 100,000 people have contracted the disease, says WHO.

Green Dreams in Tanzania

Africa has its own seasons. From November to April, while American and European families are donning winter coats and pushing through winter’s wrath, the great plains of the Serengeti are springing to life with fresh green growth on hardy acacias and lofty crotons and flaming red blooms on ubiquitous tulip trees.

This is called “the Green Season,” and it contrasts from Africa’s peak safari season, from July to September, in some dramatic ways – making it Africa’s “Secret Season” for the wealth of rare natural treasure to be discovered.

Tanzania is a land of Edens within this drama, bringing the wildlife spectacles to be found at Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in the north as well as the Ruaha and Selous Game Reserves in the south. Lake Manyara, with scenery Ernest Hemingway called “the loveliest I had seen in Africa” remains as it was – a frame of exploding pinks against blinding blotches black stripes as flamingoes nest, herons light and zebra, wildebeest and giraffes cool off in the equatorial sun. Mt. Kilimanjaro looms in the distance on a clear day as the highest (19,341-foot) mountain on the continent and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

All of this is within reach of Arusha, fast becoming one of the top MICE locations in Africa. The Arusha International Conference Centre is a spectacular custom-built facility with the capacity to host up to 10,000 delegates.

“We are steadily preparing the country for the big time when it comes to business tourism,” says Arusha ICC CEO Elishilia D. Kaaya in an interview with AfricaLive.net. “Arusha is home to some of the most acclaimed natural sites in the world and our center is closely associated with these amazing sites because of our proximity to them. We want people to think about these wonders of the world whenever the Arusha International Conference Centre is mentioned.”

The development of the industry in Tanzania will see continued investment in infrastructure and facilities with new conference centers developing close to the country’s main tourist and business hubs such as Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.

For those who want to mix meetings with a magical immersion in Tanzania’s natural beauty, there is no shortage of luxury safaris that can fill the bill. Top names familiar to US travelers include Micato Safaris, African Travel, Collette, Globus, Gate One, Goway, SITA, Intrepid, Tauck, Travcoa and many more. They manage group travel, private travel, super-luxury travel, even jet safaris. Choices come into play for the level of luxury and lodging rather than animal sightings. In Tanzania, the Big Five conquests come with the territory.

It’s worth noting that the Trump administration made headlines recently with proposed new travel bans for six countries, including Tanzania. However as of this writing, the bans have not yet been officially put in effect, and only apply to certain visas for travel inbound to the US. And as always, before traveling it’s best to check with the State Department for any details about travel documentation.

Select Experiences. 

Access to Tanzania has been boosted in recent years by the return of national carrier Air Tanzania in 2016, which was able to establish direct flights from Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Travelers can now fly easily into airfields near Kilimanjaro and the other three national park zones as well as Zanzibar – the Spice Islands, all well worth the exploration.

If Tanzania were to delve into the top five reasons to visit, it might look something like this:

• Wildlife Safaris: The great migrations, Ngorongoro Crater National Park that is home to the largest volcanic crater on earth with the largest concentration of varied wildlife to be found on the planet – and all this comes with the comforts and luxuries of five-star travel.

• Beaches: The soft sand littorals along the rims of Zanzibar and Pemba are laced with luxury lairs that open to the warm Indian Ocean, just a stone’s throw from the medieval alleys of Stonetown where century-old giant roaming tortoises blend with aromatic cafes and notion shops.

• Mountain Climbing: While conquering the highest mountain in Africa is always on the list, smaller mountains such as Mountain Meru and Lake Natron’s The Mountain of God also beckon.

• Balloon Safaris: Gliding over the Serengeti at sunrise? Bucket list.

• Exotic Foods: Dishes in Tanzania take on a piquant blend of Middle Eastern, Indian and Sub-Sahara. A little ugali, some curried fish, some local nuts and fruits and a lot of spices. Get used to the scent of cloves in Zanzibar.  

Top Resorts in Tanzania. 

Tanzania has been in the resort business for some 80 years as royals and celebrities found Africa’s wilds to be a regular interest, if not an addiction. These range from comfortable permanent tented camps with decked out quarters that include attached bathrooms, hot baths, libraries, even Internet, all on a remote scape where lions roar and elephants make occasional entrances.

Embassies to help Market African Tourism in Tanzania

Setting new plans and strategies to market African tourism within and outside the continent, the African Tourism Board (ATB) is now looking to cooperate then work closely with embassies and diplomatic missions across the continent to expose its rich attractions.

Speaking at the end of this six-day working tour in Tanzania early this week, the African Tourism Board (ATB) Chairman Mr. Cuthbert Ncube said new strategies to develop, promote and market the rich African tourism is now extending to various stakeholders including African diplomatic missions in each African country.

Mr. Ncube who was in Tanzania for an interactive working tour said that more efforts with new plans are needed to expose African tourist resources at the international travel markets to attract more global tourists to visit this continent.

Embassies to help Market African Tourism in Tanzania

The ATB Chairman said that African embassies and diplomatic missions are key partners in tourism development for Africa.

“Each African embassy in a specific country has a big role play in marketing tourism opportunities available in the respective nation it represents to the host country”, he said.

During his visit to Tanzania, Mr. Ncube held talks with the Nigerian High Commissioner to Tanzania, also officials at the South African High Commission in Tanzania; targeting tourism development and exchange of information and strategies to market tourist attractions in Africa.

“I had met officials in these African diplomatic missions to discuss on how best to make strategies that would promote international travel and domestic tourism in the continent”,

Ncube said ATB is now working hard to identify, develop and then expose the African tourist products at the international travel markets to attract more visitors to visit this continent.

Within Africa, Mr. Ncube said he had discussed how to develop a strong tourism base for Africans to travel within the continent, from one state to another state.

“We are looking to see people from Nigeria to visit Tanzania, South Africans to visit Tanzania, also Tanzanians to travel to another African state to see tourist attractions not available in their country”, he said. The African Tourism Board was established last year to work as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism into Africa. 

RIP 🐘 Tim 😢

#TuskerTim! As I mourn the death of Tim, the magnificent Kenyan tusker, the constant weight of sadness I feel knowing I will never again be able to spend time with him, is incomparable to those who have watched over Tim for so many years. He was such a special elephant.

Saving the Wild’s partners Big Life Foundation went to great lengths to protect him, and that he died a natural death, and not at the hands of poachers, is a victory in itself. We must never forget that.

Elephants are extraordinary animals, intelligence beyond our basic human understanding, and deep emotional bonds between family members. We have so much to learn from these gentle giants who have roamed the earth for millions of years. As we mourn the death of Tim, as a community, we also give thanks to those who went to great lengths to protect and honor Tim while he was still alive.

Saving the Wild is committed to the protection of Tim’s offspring and the tusker gene pool, in support of the Big Life Foundation. Over the years and decades to come, we look forward to sharing many wonderful stories from the field as we watch the calves he fathered rise to be Kings.

“The only marks on his body were the imprints left by other elephants. Perhaps it was his companions, trying to lift him back on his feet. Push the life back into him. Tim is dead, and at Big Life Foundation we’re all in a state of shock. One elephant’s life shouldn’t matter more than another. But at this moment, this one does. As one of the biggest elephants in Africa, he was a magnificent relic of a bygone era when his kind was more common.”

"Tim lived a life that saw him become an icon for his species. Photographs, videos, and stories focusing on this grand old boy have been taken and told for years and with that, he has helped influence the world’s understanding and attitude towards elephants. He was a daily reminder that we share this earth with giants who are more impressive and far more beneficial to the health of the planet than we can ever hope to be."

- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

“We will miss Tim, but we also hope that his legend lives on and he continues to inspire people to protect elephants. He has fathered many calves too, and we are happy he got to live a long life in the wild.”- Amboseli Trust for Elephants

African Tourism Board Chairman to speak at Domestic Tourism Exhibition in Tanzania

The African Tourism Board (ATB) Chairman Mr. Cuthbert Ncube is all set to speak at the premier domestic tourism exhibition, taking place from Thursday to Saturday this week, in Tanzania’s commercial capital city of Dar es Salaam.

Mr. Ncube who arrived in Tanzania Wednesday evening will participate in the official opening of the UWANDAE Expo 2020 on Thursday, before taking the podium on Friday to discuss key and pertinent issues in tourism in Africa at a special conference, that will draw key industry personalities to address participants and other visitors.

The event organizers, the Association of Women in Tourism Tanzania (AWOTTA), had confirmed the presence of Mr. Ncube at the conference to be taking place on February 7th, during the second day of the UWANDAE Expo 2020 exhibition.

Mr. Ncube will present a paper titled “Engaging and Aligning key role players in the tourism value chain to develop targets and result-driven partnerships:   Leveraging in the hospitality and light industry sector”.

He will speak at a special conference that was organized for all participants to attend free of charge, to discuss and deliberate on “Business, Investment, and Jobs in Domestic Tourism”, which is the theme of the conference.

The participation of the ATB Chairman would add vigor to tourism development in Tanzania and Africa, with positive input from key personalities in the continent’s fast-growing tourism sector.

The ATB Chairman is among key personalities with rich experience in tourism in Africa, and the continent’s position in the global tourism map.

The UWANDAE Expo 2020 exhibition will be attended by key government policymakers in the tourist sector, public tourist and wildlife conservation institutions, private investors, travel trade and airline companies, organizations and business partners across many sectors, students and the public from Tanzania and other countries.

The theme of this year exhibition is ”Recognize the Value of Domestic Tourism”.

To be staged from 6th to 8th, February, UWANDAE Expo 2020 is the second edition of the event. The first such event took place last year and highlighted the potential of domestic tourism fueled by the growth in Tanzanian’s traveling for health, sporting events, study, conferences, national celebrations, weddings, and pilgrimages.

The organizers have aimed to attract 100 participants and 3000 visitors, and anticipate extensive nationwide media coverage before, during and after the event.

AWOTTA is a newly formed association to attract and encourage women to take a leading role in tourism in Tanzania and Africa.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said in its reports that the majority of the tourism workforce worldwide is female: 54% of people employed in tourism are women compared to 39 percent in the general economy.

Tourism is leading the charge for female empowerment all over the world. Across the private and public sectors women are harnessing the potential of tourism to become financially independent, challenge stereotypes and start their own businesses.

Tanzania Plans Public Private Tourism Partnership

Tanzania’s government is engaging tour operators over possible Public-Private- Partnership (PPP), as it seeks to open up the Southern tourism circuit for travel.

The Governor of Iringa, the designated Southern tourism circuit hub, Mr. Ally Hapi led the government mission to meet the members of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) at the weekend in northern circuit capital of Arusha to deliberate on the best PPPs as part of the strategy to stimulate tourism in the new area.

“My key mission here is to discuss with you (tour operators) to form a partnership with the government to unlock the Southern tourism circuit potential for travel,” Mr. Hapi told the gathering at Four Points By Sheraton, The Arusha Hotel.

He implored the key players in the tourism and hospitality industry to invest in Iringa in accommodation, pledging to ease the process of acquiring land, building permits, and other crucial supports.

Mr. Hapi, one of few Youthful Regional Commissioners under President’s John Magufuli regime said Southern circuit is now accessible through roads and air.

“The Air Tanzania Corporation, a national carrier, has since mid-2019, introduced a three-times scheduled flight from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa to offer holidaymakers and business community a hassle-free trips in the area” Mr. Hapi noted, adding that plans are underway for the Iringa airport to be expanded to accommodate major planes in the new potential tourism area. 

This comes hardly nine months since the TATO deployed a delegation to Iringa under its Vice-Chairman, Mr. Henry Kimambo to identify new potential members in its effort to establish a chapter in the area to cater for the entire Southern circuit, thanks to USAID PROTECT Project for building the capacity of an umbrella organization with over 300 members, for it to become an efficient advocacy agency for the tourism industry.

John Corse, the TATO board member urged the Government to invest heavily in terms of branding the major attractions available within the Southern circuit, particularly Ruaha National park.

“You need to promote Ruaha through the world-renowned Serengeti national park. You can make documentaries and use media to promote the attractions available in the Southern circuit,” Mr.Corse told the government delegation.

It is understood; the Fifth Government under President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli is working overtime to put up hardware infrastructures as it seeks to unleash the full economic potential of the area.

Impressed by the government move to designate Iringa as the Southern circuit hub, TATO’s CEO, Mr. Sirili Akko said: “We are keen to replicate the best practices from the northern tourism circuit to Southern shred” 

This implies that the 36-year-old advocacy agency for a multi-billion dollar industry, with its base in northern safari capital of Arusha, will soon have a liaison office in Iringa to take care of its Southern circuit members.

The southern circuit formed by several national parks. The national parks namely Mikumi, Udzungwa, Kitulo Ruaha, as well as Selous Game Reserve, have fewer visitors and give the feeling of being all alone. 

Activities include game drives in open vehicles, boat safaris, and walking safaris. These safaris include flights between the parks.

Tanzania’s earnings from tourism jumped 7.13 percent in 2018, helped by an increase in arrivals from foreign visitors, the government has said.

Tourism is the main source of hard currency in Tanzania, best known for its beaches, wildlife safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Revenues from tourism fetched $2.43 billion for the year, up from $2.19 billion in 2017, Prime Minister, Mr. Kassim Majaliwa said in a presentation to parliament.

Tourist arrivals totaled 1.49 million in 2018, compared with 1.33 million a year ago, Majaliwa said.

President John Magufuli’s government said it wants to bring in 2 million visitors in 2020. 

Travel agents: Govt urged to promote tourism sector.

TRAVEL agents have requested more support from the government in order to develop the tourism industry in Tanzania.

Speaking in  Dar es Salaam, the Chairman of Tanzania Society of Travel Agents (Tasota) Moustafa Khataw, said more is needed for the government to help the sector. He said the government should review all charges or taxes imposed on travel agents.

“Travel agents have to pay to provide a bank guarantee to IATA which is a big burden to them especially when clients do not pay them on time”, he said. He said the fees and commissions which they are supposed to pay are not friendly,  hence they need a review.

“We also urge the government to establish a special unit that would deal with travel agents to address our challenges”.

Khataw suggested that it was the right time for the establishment of a regulatory agency that would address issues pertaining to travel agents. Recently, the association issued a statement to the public informing customers on payment circle for air tickets issued in Tanzania.

It said that the credit period enjoyed by International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited air ticketing agents in Tanzania is 15 days and maybe reduced further to 7 days. Agents failing to meet payment deadlines will be declared defaulters and denied facilities to issue tickets.

Consequently, in order to protect the industry from a crisis arising from potential massive defaults, existing credit terms for air tickets will change drastically and can be also in favour of cash/credit card or prepayments as well.

This is, therefore, to advise all consumers of air travel services especially corporate entities and government departments to take not of the terms and conditions. The association urged customers to ensure necessary adjustments in payment plans to conform to the new requirements of the relevant agent.

TASOTA is the national association representing the interests of travel agents in Tanzania.

It serves as the single voice of travel agents in the industry with a mandate to promote the highest code of ethical and professional standards members in their dealings with consumer and each other.

Meanwhile, Tasota in partnership with other certified training institutions will soon embark on a program to upgrade human capital in the tourism industry. At moment human capital is the biggest constraint in the tourism industry.

The chairman said  TASOTA in collaboration with certified training institutions will provide requisite training to personnel in the travel industry in order to enhance their knowledge and skills. Commenting on travel and tourism business status at the moment, he said there is a growing interest for tourists to visit  Tanzania.

He said figures being shared by Tanzania Tourists Board (TTB)  look encouraging and thus participation at various trade shows will yield good results.

“With Air Tanzania planning to fly on international routes, this will boost tourism especially from India and China,” Khataw noted.

He also said that air travel has had challenging times in Tanzania for the past few years since there are few companies that had announced to close shop.

“We understand that ETIHAD Airways – The National Airline of Abu Dhabi has pulled out of Tanzania market from 1/10/2018 and there has been stiff competition especially with the low season being around the corner”, he said.

Airlines want to “rope in” customers in advance by giving lucrative offers, he said adding that airfares within African countries are still on the higher side.

According to him, with prudent measures being taken by the fifth phase government, travel from the government sector has reduced as a result it has, in turn, affected many of our members.

Khataw said in order to improve the sector, domestic airfares, as well as intra-African travels, have to be re-aligned and an “open skies” treaty is implemented.