Dr Kijaji hails Serengeti golf course as the next-level sports tourism

FORT IKOMA: THE Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji, has said the Serengeti Golf Course will enable Tanzania to host major African and international golf tournaments, a move expected to increase tourist arrivals, boost revenue and promote the country internationally through sports tourism.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Serengeti National Park Golf Course held yesterday at Fort Ikoma, in Serengeti District, Mara Region, Kijaji said the construction of the course was part of a strategy to make Tanzania not only a wildlife tourism hub but also a sports tourism centre in Africa.

Kijaji, who represented President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, said golf was among the sports capable of attracting many tourists from around the world and increasing tourism revenue.

“Through this course, we expect to increase tourism revenue, attract high-end tourists, extend visitors’ stays in the country, stimulate investment in hotels and other services, create new jobs for young people and increase tourism’s contribution to the national economy,” she said.

She explained that Tanzania should capitalise on the opportunity by investing in sports infrastructure, organising tournaments, developing leisure travel packages, improving hotels and tourist accommodation facilities, strengthening air transport and providing other services required by tourists.

“I congratulate all the players who participated, including those from outside the country, for demonstrating their skills and becoming part of the history of this course. I welcome them to continue using this course and encourage other local and international players to come and participate in tournaments that will be organised here,” she said.

Kijaji added that the tourism sector was undergoing changes, with modern tourists seeking not only visits to natural attractions but also services that combine entertainment, sports, recreation, the environment and high-quality facilities.

She commended Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) for implementing the President’s vision by introducing a new tourism initiative that combines natural resource conservation with sports. She also praised the TANAPA Board chairperson and members for overseeing the implementation of the President’s directives up to the inauguration stage.

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She directed TANAPA to establish a strategic plan to ensure the course is operated sustainably and continues to deliver benefits. This includes assessing the best way to manage the facility and the possibility of partnering with the private sector to improve efficiency and increase revenue for the country and its people.

The minister emphasised the importance of establishing training programmes for young people, particularly students from schools surrounding the area, to introduce them to golf and give them opportunities to develop their talents, helping produce skilled players for national and international competitions in the future.

She directed the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and tourism stakeholders, particularly tour operators, to ensure the course is included in tourism packages promoted locally and internationally.

She said the government had fulfilled its responsibility by facilitating the construction of the course, adding that stakeholders were now responsible for ensuring the attraction became known in international tourism markets.

TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa said the construction of the Serengeti  National Park Golf course cost 8.5bn/-.

Mwishawa added that the course had a 5.2km  circular road, reliable electricity from the national grid, a golf clubhouse, practice areas and essential equipment for operating the facility.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) President Gilman Kasiga thanked TANAPA for constructing the course, saying they would continue working together to promote golf in the country.

Kasiga said Tanzania currently had 12 golf courses, although some were not operational. He appealed to the government to pass legislation establishing arrangements to ensure all golf courses are designated as protected zones.