The bustling city of Arusha on Thursday played host to an
influential gathering of global travel agents and local tour operators, setting
the stage for potential future collaborations aimed at boosting Tanzania’s
burgeoning tourism industry.
The high-profile Business-to-Business (B2B) event saw the
presence of the Deputy Conservation Commissioner in the Research and Training
section of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr. Iman Nkuwi, who
outlined lucrative investment opportunities in the country’s tourism industry.
In his presentation, Mr. Nkuwi emphasised that Tanzania
welcomes large-scale investors willing to contribute to the development of
state-of-the-art recreation facilities.
Highlighting specific investment avenues, he mentioned the
establishment of wildlife captive facilities, luxury lodges and camps,
beekeeping ventures, forestry projects and the rapidly growing Meetings,
Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) ultra facility as key areas of
focus.
“We have earmarked a total of 179 investment sites for
accommodation facilities with the capacity to add an extra 7,744 beds,” Mr.
Nkuwi announced.
His statement underscored the significant potential for
expansion in Tanzania’s hospitality segment, which is seen as pivotal to cater
to the increasing influx of tourists drawn to the nation’s rich biodiversity
and unique cultural heritage.
The strategic locations of these investment sites, coupled
with the government’s supportive policies, present a golden opportunity for
global investors to tap into Tanzania’s thriving tourism industry.
Mr. Nkuwi’s insights further revealed that Tanzania’s vast
and diverse ecosystems, ranging from the Serengeti plains to the majestic Mount
Kilimanjaro, offer unparalleled experiences to visitors, thereby driving the
demand for high-quality accommodation and recreational facilities.
Mr. Nkuwi reiterated the government’s commitment to
facilitating and fostering an investor-friendly environment. With 179 earmarked
sites ready for development, Tanzania’s tourism industry stands on the brink of
a transformative era, offering promising returns for discerning investors who
align with the country’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Key stakeholders at the event expressed their optimism and
willingness to explore these investment opportunities. Turkey Travel Agent who
serves as the Vice-President of the Istanbul Tourism Association (ISTA), Mr
Murtaza Kalender, said he has fallen in love with the investment opportunities
in the hospitality industry.
“We would otherwise not know that there is a huge potential
for investment in the hospitality industry, without this special presentation
to us. Tanzania is now my second home. I will internalise on the opportunity,”
Mr Murtaza noted. He said Tanzania has what it takes to woo 15 million tourists
in the next decade, if the current efforts to engage global travel agents are
sustained.
“Collaboration between international travel agents and local
tour operators is expected to not only bolster the tourism infrastructure but
also enhance the overall visitor experience, thus contributing significantly to
Tanzania’s economic growth” Mr Murtaza noted.
The B2B event in Arusha marked a significant milestone in
Tanzania’s journey towards establishing itself as a premier global tourist
destination.
As the dialogues initiated during this gathering evolve into
concrete partnerships, the future of Tanzania’s tourism subsector looks indeed
bright, brimming with endless possibilities for both investors and travellers
alike.
In a landmark initiative aimed at bolstering Tanzania’s
tourism industry, 120 global travel agents have embarked on an exclusive
familiarisation tour in the northern tourism circuit to experience the natural
beauty firsthand.
The brainchild behind this ambitious project, African Queen
Adventures CEO, Alice Manupa, shared that the tour was aimed at offering the
global agents a firsthand experience of Tanzania’s unparalled natural beauty
and rich cultural heritage.
“This is a milestone for the Tanzania tourism industry,” Ms Manupa said, adding: “Considering that 60 per cent of global travel and tourism decisions are influenced by travel agents, hosting 120 of the world’s most influential agents is bound to skyrocket our destination profile and visibility.”