Agents in Kilimanjaro Region demand immediate cancellation of KPAP
KILIMANJARO: Tourism agents in the Kilimanjaro region are calling on the government to promptly dissolve the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), asserting that the organization is damaging the reputation of the tourism industry in Tanzania.
The agents allege that KPAP is engaged in “dirty propaganda” that portrays them as dishonest and neglectful in their services to porters, claims they vehemently deny.
KPAP recently published a list on its website of approximately 45 tourism companies that it recognizes for providing quality services to visitors and porters, leading agents to question the organization’s authority to make such declarations.
Matata Omari, director of Matata Tours, stated, “What the institution is doing is destroying the tourism business that has been paying taxes to the government and providing employment to hundreds of porters and guides.” He urged the government to review KPAP’s registration and constitution to determine the legitimacy of its operations. Omari emphasized, “This is a project; you cannot force people to become your members. Telling visitors not to use companies that are not members of KPAP is unacceptable.”
The situation has placed agents in a difficult position, as tourists increasingly inquire about their KPAP membership before booking trips. Documentation from guest communications indicates that some are canceling their plans if the agents are not affiliated with KPAP. One example of such correspondence reads:
“We are a group of 5-7 people to climb Kili on July 2022 and we are looking for options for the Lemosho route. Could you please advise on your rates and what is included and excluded? Are you a member of KPAP?”
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Agents claim that KPAP’s influence has led to a notable decrease in business, with one agent reporting the loss of ten clients due to non-membership. This resulted in the loss of jobs for 45 individuals, including guides, cooks, waiters, and porters. Additionally, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is said to have lost approximately $8,350 in park fees as a result.
The economic impact extends beyond the agents; local markets and businesses that rely on tourism are also suffering. “If every guest refuses to climb the mountain with a company that is not part of KPAP, what do you expect will happen to the tourism business?” one agent questioned.
The agents are urging the government to take swift action against KPAP, warning that without intervention, many tourism offices may close, leading to widespread unemployment in the industry.
In response to the complaints, TANAPA and the Kilimanjaro National Park leadership have begun to address the issues raised by the agents. Nurdin Babu, the Kilimanjaro regional head, has been tasked with gathering information regarding KPAP’s authority to select foreign agents. He has requested additional time to investigate the matter, noting that he needs to consult the Kilimanjaro Regional Secretary for further clarity.
Attempts to reach the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Pindi Chana, were unsuccessful, as she was in parliament and later did not respond to follow-up inquiries.
The ongoing dispute highlights the growing tensions within the tourism sector and raises concerns about the future of the industry in the Kilimanjaro region.
