Chato eyes to triple number of tourists

CHATO: CHATO District, which hosts two National Parks of Rubongo and Burigi, intends to triple the current number of more than 3000 to 10,000 foreign tourists annually by 2025.

District Commissioner Eng Deusdedith Katwale made commitment ahead of the Chato Utalii Festival next month.

Speaking in Dar es Salaa on Wednesday this week, Eng Katwale informed the public that the forthcoming event to take place from November 26 to December 3 in Chato will be part of strategies to up the number of tourists in for the district’s attractions.

“In 2022 recorded about 3000 foreign tourists, however we aim to reach 10,000 annually by 2025,” he vowed.

He said the festival will feature different activities related to promote the attraction, but the revenue to be collected will be spent in making 29,000 desks to address the deficit in primary schools in the district.

The District Commissioner was optimistic that the festival will also open up business opportunities.

Commenting, Rubondo National Park Chief Conservation Officer Dr Imani Kikoti said the festival participants will have opportunity to observe blue water in the green Island.

“The participants will also have opportunity to see big antelopes which are available in Rubondo National Park only,” he said.

On his part, Mr Ismaily Omari, Chief Conservation Officer for Burigi National Park in Chato District, stated that the park has been blessed with 0ver 40 types of wild animals and 400 types of birds, including the unique type of bird with a mouth looking like shoe.

Mr Omari also said they plan to relocate 500 elephants from the forestry surrounding Karagwe District in Kagera Region to Burigi National Park and Rumanyika National Park.

The relocation of the elephants is based on safety issue because they have been attacking humans and causing damages to properties.

The elephants have been invading residential areas at nine villages in Karagwe, Bukoba and Misenyi.