TFS reaps gains from ecotourism as number of visitors soars to 377,116 from 46,533 in 2020

DODOMA: THE Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency has continued to reap the benefits of investment in forest tourism, with the number of visitors to attractions managed by the agency reaching 377,116 in 2025, up significantly from 46,533 visitors recorded in 2020.

According to TFS Head of Tourism Unit, PCO Someni Mteleka, the increase in visitor numbers has been accompanied by a significant rise in tourism revenue generated by the agency. In 2020, TFS collected more than 159m/- from ecotourism, with revenue rising to 3.5bn/- in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Speaking in Dodoma during an induction training programme for newly recruited TFS employees, Mteleka said the agency was continuing to develop a range of tourism products based on forests, tree plantations, mangrove forests and historical sites, with the aim of expanding tourism opportunities and increasing their economic benefits.

He said TFS currently manages 35 tourism sites offering a variety of activities, including forest walks, bird and wildlife watching, mountain climbing and sightseeing, bee tourism, cycling, canoeing and kayaking, camping, picnicking, as well as visits to historical and cultural sites.

ALSO READ: Tanzania sees revenue from ecotourism surpasses 3bn/- due to sharp rise in number of visitors

Mteleka said the growth in forest tourism had also been supported by an increase in National Forest Reserves (NFRs), which rose from five in 2015 to 25 in 2025. He noted that ecotourism is among the key economic activities permitted in the reserves, subject to conservation requirements and minimal environmental impact.

Beyond forest reserves, Mteleka said TFS is also utilising tree plantations and mangrove forests to develop new tourism products that do not involve the extraction of natural resources. These include sports tourism activities such as motor racing, marathons and horse riding, as well as tourism activities conducted in mangrove areas.

According to Mteleka, TFS also manages six historical sites, including Bagamoyo Old Town, Kaole Ruins, Tongoni, the Kondoa Rock-Art Sites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — as well as sites associated with Dr David Livingstone and the Health Building.

He said TFS continues to collaborate with government institutions, development partners, non-governmental organisations, local communities and the private sector to improve infrastructure, services and access to tourism attractions.

The agency is also promoting its tourism products through traditional and digital media platforms as part of efforts to increase visitor numbers and contribute to Tanzania’s national target of attracting eight million tourists annually by 2030.