Alert over Royal Tour events

THE government has issued an alert over unwarranted events linked to ‘Royal Tour Tanzania’ and promotion of domestic tourism as organisers raise funds for personal gains.

To lure a big audience, the organisers have been advertising such events in the media with promises of having top leaders as chief guests.

A statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism had it that some individuals were capitalising on the Royal Tour film, which has triggered a big response of activities and various events aimed at promoting domestic tourism.

Such activities and functions include dinner and music concerts that involve entrance fees, and sometimes with adverts pointing to top government leaders, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as guests of honour with the intent to attract sizable crowds.

“The ministry cautions the public to be vigilant over such concerts and that the ministry is not in any way involved in preparations of the events and raising of the funds from the public and various stakeholders for promoting domestic tourism through such events using the name of Royal Tour,” part of the statement says.

Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry is entrusted to manage conservation of natural resources, historical heritage and development of tourism in the country.

“The ministry carries out this duty by observing policies, regulations, development plans and various government’s directives,” the statement adds.

A week ago, in Dar es Salaam, the event, dubbed ‘Royal Tour Executives Dinner Concert 2022’ was organised at Mlimani City after several adverts in the local media that President Samia would grace the event at which popular musician Koffi Olomide was main performer.

One of participants at the event expressed her disappointment that she expected President Samia would have graced the event as advertised earlier.

“They announced that the president would have come but she didn’t and no information was given over the changes. We were ten people and contributed 200,000/- each to get 2m/- to pay for a 10-seat table,” she told the ‘Daily News’ on condition of anonymity.

She said she thought the event would have been serious for exchanging ideas amongst executives, but it turned out to be unserious.

“It wasn’t worth the money. Worse still, was to use names of top leaders to achieve their goals,” she said.

In another development, the ministry was forced to trash one of digital adverts announcing about forum on women and tourism indicating that Deputy Minister Mary Masanja will officiate the event dated October 8 to be held at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

The ministry labelled the advert as ‘fake’ and informed the public to ignore the announcement.

The Royal Tour documentary by President Samia, is a one-hour film packed with tourism attractions, investment destinations, arts and cultural impressions available in Tanzania.