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.