Tanzania marks World Tourism Day, recognizes conservation agencies
NGORONGORO: Tanzania has today joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Tourism Day, with the government reaffirming its commitment to growing the tourism sector sustainably while recognizing outstanding players through the upcoming Serengeti Awards.
Speaking to the press at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hassan Abbasi, commended the media for their continued role in promoting the country’s natural attractions and conservation efforts.
This year’s global theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, aims to highlight innovation, community involvement, and inclusive growth in the sector. Dr Abbasi said Tanzania, through its conservation and promotion agencies, including TANAPA, NCAA, TAWA, TFS, NMT, and TTB, has lined up various activities such as tourism events, campaigns, educational visits, and awareness programs to encourage more citizen participation.
He highlighted Tanzania’s global standing as one of the few destinations blessed with iconic attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, game reserves, historical sites, forest reserves, and pristine beaches.
“Tourism in Tanzania continues to grow remarkably, contributing significantly to our economy. International tourist arrivals rose from 922,692 in 2021 to 2.14 million in 2024—an increase of 132 percent—while domestic tourists grew by over 300 percent in the same period,” said Dr Abbasi.
According to official data, total tourist numbers reached 5.36 million by the end of 2024, while earnings grew from 1.3bn/- US dollars in 2021 to 3.9bn/- US dollars in 2024, an increase of 200 percent. The sector has also created about 1.6 million jobs.
The Ministry also announced the Serengeti Awards for Conservation and Tourism, scheduled for December 19, 2025, in Arusha. The awards, first launched in 2024, seek to recognize, honor, and celebrate contributions by institutions, companies, and individuals in conservation and tourism.
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Dr Abbasi assured stakeholders of a transparent and competitive process and urged the public, private sector, and media to continue supporting tourism development.
“We encourage every stakeholder to take part in tourism and conservation, as this sector remains a pillar of our economy and national identity,” he said.
