The Government of Tanzania will be indentifying new tourist attractions in the country, with the aim of increasing tourism revenue, according to Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Professor Adolf Mkenda, at the launch of the Same District’s Tourism and Environmental Strategic Plans, which was held at Chome area, within Same District in the Kilimanjaro region.
He said: “Tanzania has many tourist attractions that are yet to be identified. Due to this factor the government is determined to visualise and market both inside and outside the country so as to increase the number of tourists in the country, as well as income from the tourism sector,” reports Tanzania Daily News.
It was noted that the launch of the strategic plan by the Same District was a significant step, one that reflected the government’s plans that are meant to improve the tourism sector in Tanzania.
Same District Commissioner, Rosemary Senyamule said the two strategic plans aimed to integrate all tourist attractions into one package and were set to be promoted together.
Tanzania Daily News reported Senyamule saying: “Same District has many tourist attractions which, if marketed well, will make the district get recognised all over the world.” The attractions included Mkomazi National Park and Chome Natural Forest, which incorporates Shengena Mountain.
Senyamule appealed to potential investors to invest in businesses that were related to tourism and environmental improvement, as well as to the central government through its relevant authorities to include Same District into the government’s ongoing strategies. These aim to promote the tourism industry and environmental improvement in Tanzania.
She continued: “We also appeal to the central government through its relevant authorities to help us improve road infrastructures leading to Shengena Mountain and Chome Natural Forest Reserve to ease access to the two areas. There are also a few challenges that should be addressed in order to improve tourism in our district and this includes the shortage of water dams in Mkomazi National Park. If we get enough water dams in Mkomazi National Park, it will enable the wildlife to get access to water throughout the year," reports Tanzania Daily News.
Having sufficient dams would prevent wildlife from moving out of Mkomazi National Park, ensuring animals stayed within the park throughout the year rather than seeking water elsewhere, said Senyamule.
According to Dr. Dos Santos Silayo, Executive Director of the Tanzania Forestry Service, government has embarked on strategies that aim to promote ecological tourism with the intention of improving the tourism sector, as well as increasing employment in the country.
Tanzania Daily News quoted Silayo saying: “Tanzania has many forest reserves that are unique compared with others in the world. These forest reserves are good opportunities, which, if well utilised, would improve the country’s tourism sector.”
The launch was part of a government directive that requires each district in the country to develop strategic plans to promote the industry as well as improving the environment. Same District was the first to launch its plans at district level countrywide.
