Government plans certification for guides, porters
KILIMANJARO: THE government is planning to introduce a grading and certification system for tour guides and porters as part of efforts to improve service standards and professionalism in the tourism sector.
In her speech read by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nkoba Mabula, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, said the initiative would establish clear performance standards and accountability while enabling tourists visiting Tanzania to receive quality services.
The speech was read during the closing ceremony of a training course for more than 300 tour guides and porters at the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka (CAWM-Mweka) over the weekend.
The training aimed at preparing tourism service providers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
Dr Kijaji said formal grading and certification would provide a reliable framework for assessing the competencies of guides and porters and recognising their professional abilities.
“The tourism industry in the country is expanding rapidly, targeting eight million inbound visits annually by 2030. This means the demand for skilled and well-trained service providers must be given priority,” she said.
She commended the training organisers and CAWMMweka leadership, assuring them of the government’s continued support to ensure the programme becomes sustainable.
Speaking at the event, CAWM-Mweka Rector, Professor Julius Nyahongo said the institution has embarked on strategies to grade tour guides and porters according to their knowledge and experience.
He said remuneration would also be aligned with the respective grades and certification held by service providers.
“This will provide an opportunity for guides and porters to further develop themselves, increase their skills and enable Tanzania to have highly qualified and professional service providers in the tourism sector,” he said.
Prof Nyahongo further said that the grading initiative was inspired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s contribution to promoting Tanzania’s tourism through the Royal Tour film.
He said the college has awarded the Head of State the unique status of ‘Grade One Alpha Guide’ in recognition of her contribution to promoting the country’s tourist attractions.
Ministry’s Director of Training and Research, Dr Edward Kohi, said the nine-day training involved more than 300 male and female guides and porters as part of the government’s efforts to improve tourism services.
Vice-Chairman of the Tour Guides Association, Mr Paul Joshua, welcomed the training, saying it would motivate guides to expand their knowledge and improve service delivery.
Porters Association Chairman, Mr Mohamed Mkoma, said the training was timely, given the growing number of people entering the profession, adding that improved skills would help strengthen the quality of services offered to tourists.
