THE Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) is reporting brisk growth from the US market for the beginning of 2009.
Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director TTB, says: “In a year when people are conscious about cost/value, Tanzania offers an excellent travel experience where the dollar buys much more than is available in other countries. America is Tanzania’s number one source for tourism and we are encouraged by the positive feedback we have received that this growth will continue even during a challenging economic climate.”
Jo Bertone, USA Director of Naipenda Safaris, has seen no evidence of a travel slowdown when it comes to Tanzania. “While the media was filled with doom and gloom for the past few months about the US economy in general,” she says, “right after the elections and the holidays we resumed normal – if not higher – quote requests on bookings to Tanzania.’’
At Safari Ventures, based in Florida, Rumit Mehta, Director of Business Development in New York City, feels that many Americans are fulfilling a dream in keeping and/or creating travel plans to Tanzania. “In the last five or so years, Safari Ventures has seen a steady growth of clients from business schools and universities who are interested in the intellectual and cultural heritage of Tanzania. There are more than enough value-added hotels, safaris and other attractions to keep them booking this.’’
Lynn Newby-Fraser of Africa Dream Safaris says: “Despite the economic gloom there still seems to be people who are looking for a trip-of-a-lifetime and, interestingly, they’re looking to Tanzania for the experience.”
Amant Macha, Director of Marketing TTB, confirms that they expect to hold and/or increase market share in 2009 as a result of “the increase in high-end accommodations to meet the demand of the luxury travel segment and improved air access combined with ongoing advertising on CNN and other US media”.
