50th Sabasaba Trade Fair boosts Tanzania’s domestic tourism drive

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has said that the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba) has become an important platform for promoting domestic tourism, showcasing the country’s tourist attractions, and preparing stakeholders to benefit from various opportunities, including the upcoming AFCON tournament scheduled for next year.

Speaking at the exhibition, Naomi Mbilinyi, Senior Tourism Officer at the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), said the Board’s mandate is to promote Tanzania as a tourist destination both locally and internationally, noting that the Sabasaba Trade Fair provides an ideal platform to engage the public and tourism stakeholders.

She said that through the TTB pavilion, visitors receive information on opportunities available in the tourism sector, including how to establish tour companies, participate in international tourism exhibitions, and explore the country’s diverse tourist attractions.

Mbilinyi added that TTB is also using the exhibition to promote the Swahili International Tourism Expo (S!TE), scheduled for October, where stakeholders can register as exhibitors, sponsors, and participants.

She further explained that the Board is developing a digital platform that will enable tourism stakeholders to register their businesses, making it easier to market their services and attractions to both domestic and international audiences.

According to Mbilinyi, the TTB pavilion has also set aside a special area to educate stakeholders about the opportunities expected from the AFCON tournament. The initiative aims to prepare accommodation providers, transport operators, and other tourism service providers to welcome the large number of visitors expected during the competition.

She noted that many visitors to the pavilion, particularly residents of Dar es Salaam, have shown great interest in learning about nearby tourism destinations, including beaches, historical sites, museums, and other attractions suitable for one-day city tours.

She added that many members of the public also inquire about entrance fees for national parks and other tourist destinations, with TTB working closely with other tourism institutions to provide accurate information and direct visitors to the appropriate exhibition booths.

Mbilinyi urged the public to visit the TTB pavilion at the Sabasaba Trade Fair to access information that may not be readily available elsewhere, including registration for digital tourism platforms, details about the Swahili International Tourism Expo, and preparations for AFCON.

She emphasized that the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity for the public to interact directly with tourism experts, ask questions, share views, and receive guidance on the wide range of opportunities available within Tanzania’s tourism sector.