Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry unveils priorities in its 2026/27 budget

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has tabled its budget speech in Parliament alongside the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the 2026/2027 financial year, outlining key priorities that will guide implementation of the budget.

Presenting the budget in Parliament in Dodoma on May 15, 2026, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, said the priorities are aimed at strengthening conservation, tourism development, and the overall contribution of the sector to the national economy.

She said the first priority is to enhance conservation, protection, and sustainable use of wildlife, forest, beekeeping, and cultural heritage resources.

Another priority is to strengthen enabling infrastructure in tourism and conservation areas, including roads, airports, communication systems, and social services to improve accessibility to tourist attractions.

Dr Kijaji also highlighted the importance of boosting domestic and international tourism promotion through targeted strategies, including marketing in the Far East and Middle East, and leveraging major international events such as AFCON 2027, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meetings, Miss World competitions, and World Tourism Awards (WTA) events to be hosted in the country.

She added that other priorities include developing and improving strategic tourism products such as cruise tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), as well as identifying and registering new tourism products.

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The ministry will also focus on improving the production, value addition, and marketing of forestry and beekeeping products, alongside enhancing the use of modern technologies in resource management, protection, monitoring, revenue collection, and tourism promotion.

Dr Kijaji further noted that additional priorities include strengthening research, innovation, and human resource development, as well as reviewing policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines to align with economic, social, and technological changes.

She said the government will also improve working environments, performance management systems, and accountability frameworks within the sector.