Chinese tourist numbers head to record high
TANZANIA: THE number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania in the first nine months of this year has exceeded last year’s total by more than 20 per cent, driven largely by the success of the Amazing Tanzania film.
From January to September, 54,446 Chinese tourists visited Tanzania, compared to 44,438 in all of last year.
This remarkable increase is credited to various promotional efforts, including The Royal Tour and the Amazing Tanzania film, which premiered in Beijing in May and is set to debut in Dar es Salaam today.
The film aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and boost tourism between Tanzania and China.
During a media briefing, Dr Hassan Abbas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, explained that launching the film in China first was a strategic decision.
“China has a vast number of outbound travellers each year and we saw this as an opportunity to promote our country and invite them to experience Tanzania firsthand,” Dr Abbas said.
The film features President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar’s President Hussein Ali Mwinyi and a well-known Chinese artist, showcasing Tanzania’s unique attractions.
Today’s launch event will feature Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism as the guest of honour, along with China’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and Culture.
Dr Abbas highlighted that Tanzania’s targeted efforts to attract Chinese tourists include roadshows and comprehensive marketing strategies in international markets.
In 2018, Tanzania welcomed 32,000 tourists from China, a number that rose to 44,438 last year after COVID-19 travel restrictions eased.
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Mr Methusela Ntonda, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, noted that the longstanding relationship between Tanzania and China has fostered cultural exchanges, economic cooperation and mutual support.
He added that this bond was initially established by the friendship between Chairman Mao Zedong and Tanzania’s founding leader, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
“These two visionary leaders planted the seeds of friendship in the hearts of Tanzanians and Chinese people, leading to significant diplomatic achievements over the years,” Mr Ntonda said.
Over the decades, this partnership has facilitated numerous opportunities, including cultural exchange programmes, training and professional development for Tanzanians. For example, from 2014 to 2016, Tanzanian cultural officers studied Chinese language, literature and culture.
As Tanzania and China celebrate 60 years of friendship, Mr Ntonda stressed the importance of building on past successes.
Looking ahead, the two countries plan to collaborate on digital preservation of cultural heritage, host international cultural festivals and expand educational opportunities.
The partnership will also promote Swahili and Mandarin language learning to enhance communication, foster expertise-sharing in cultural initiatives and encourage creativity and innovation for sustainable development.
