The Lake Zone Cultural and Tourism Festival, which recently concluded in Bariadi District, Simiyu Region, has left a significant impact on the area, attracting over 10,000 attendees at the CCM Grounds.

Organized by Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited, the event featured traditional dances and a competition between the Gika and Gulu groups. It generated considerable excitement and made a lasting impression.

During the festival’s closing ceremony over the weekend, Bariadi District Commissioner Simon Simalenga expressed his appreciation to Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited for organizing the remarkable festival.

“I commended Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited for what they did and that has enabled it to attract such a large crowd and ensure the festival ends in remarkable success,” he said.

The festival organizer received a request to ensure the annual occurrence of the event. The residents of Simiyu have demonstrated a profound understanding and anticipation for the upcoming edition.

The Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited Managing Director, Christina Jengo, expressed her delight in the remarkable success of the festival. Initially anticipating an attendance of 7,000 individuals, the event surpassed expectations by attracting over 10,000 participants from both within and beyond the Simiyu region.

“We will continue improving year by year and we believe our company is the very first firm to organize such a large cultural and tourism festival,” she said.

She then expressed her gratitude to the festival’s sponsors, including NMB Bank, Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB), Z&M General Traders, Widescope Enterprises Limited, and Carehealth and Hospitality Services, for their generous support.

“I believe that after this first festival this year, other organisations will see the importance of supporting next year’s event, because I have been informed that this will be an annual festival."

A representative from the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Cultural Officer Nyambeho Magesa, commended Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited for responding positively to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s appeal to initiate cultural and tourism festivals in every region, as exemplified by their actions.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, represented by Magesa, expressed their commitment to ongoing collaboration with Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Limited. This partnership aims to foster the promotion of cultural tourism. Furthermore, Magesa encouraged various traditional dance groups within the Simiyu region to formally register with the National Arts Council (BASATA). By doing so, these groups would gain access to a range of beneficial services, including the provision of loans specifically tailored to groups.