Boost for tourism as ship docks at Dar port

DAR ES SALAAM: A large Riviera cruise ship from the Norwegian company Oceania Cruises has docked at the Dar es Salaam Port on Saturday morning, carrying over 1,100 tourists eager to explore Tanzania’s renowned attractions.

The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), in collaboration with Akorn and Savannah tour companies, has organised the excursions for the tourists to visit key destinations over their two-day stay in the country.

TTB Manager of Information and Public Relations Samuel Nsyuka, highlighted the unique opportunity created by the ship’s arrival.

“The tourists will explore iconic attractions, including Dar es Salaam City, Pande Game Reserve, Bagamoyo, Nyerere National Park and Serengeti National Park.

These destinations showcase Tanzania’s rich natural and cultural heritage,” he said.

He added, “This ship is enormous, traveling through various countries worldwide and serves as a platform for tourists to explore ports of call. Depending on the locations it docks, tourists disembark to explore, bringing economic benefits to those regions.”

The tourists arrived in Dar es Salaam from Zanzibar, with most being retirees undertaking extensive world tours.

The trips often include stops in countries with significant port cities, allowing them to explore attractions beyond their home regions.

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Nsyuka emphasised the broader impact of the visits on Tanzania’s economy, saying, “the arrival of these tourists is a huge advantage to our nation.

Their presence contributes directly to our national income, as they spend money on transport, tour fees and other essential services.

The revenue remains in our local economy, creating multiplier effects in various sectors.” Cruise tourism, he explained, offers a new avenue for the country to attract large groups of travellers at once.

Unlike the traditional influx of tourists arriving by air, cruise ships like the Riviera present an exciting alternative.

“These cruise ships are essentially floating hotels, often towering up to several decks high, with the capacity to bring thousands of tourists in a single voyage.

They provide a unique opportunity for tourists to experience Tanzania in ways that are both convenient and memorable,” Nsyuka said.

The arrival of the Riviera underscores the country’s potential as a hub for diverse tourism activities, ultimately boosting the economy and showcasing Tanzania’s unmatched beauty to the world.

According to fresh data from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), by August this year, the country had welcomed over two million international tourists, generating an unprecedented 3.5 billion US dollars in revenue