ARUSHA: CONSTRUCTION of a state-of-the-art international convention centre, capable of hosting over 10,000 people at once, is expected to begin soon, following the completion of the initial processes required to start the project.
To be christened ‘Mount Kilimanjaro International Convention Centre (MKICC), the facility will also feature multipurpose exhibition halls, flexible and divisible spaces for exhibition, large scale pop concerts and banquets.
It will also feature shopping malls, office buildings, administration block, five-star hotels with presidential suites that can host seven presidents at once.
Currently, Arusha City which is the country’s tourism hub, banks on Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) for major conferences and exhibitions.
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Speaking, during a presentation on the implementation of government activities over the past six months in Arusha Region on Sunday, the area Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda said that they are currently in the final stages of a feasibility study for the project, which is estimated to cost 300bn/-.
The RC also added that construction of the facility aimed at building the largest international convention centre in the country to enhance Tanzania’s appeal as a destination for conference tourism.
“The government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has allocated over 300bn/- for the construction of this state-of-the-art facility,” RC Makonda asserted.
President Samia has made great efforts in driving conference tourism, conference services and leisure tourism. One notable effort was the launching of the Royal Tour Film at AICC.
“The move has enabled us to start hosting a good number of international conferences at AICC and Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam,” according to AICC Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr Freddy Maro.
Mr Maro made remarks when he highlighted the successes that the AICC has achieved during the three years of President Samia’s reign.
He disclosed that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected the whole world, including Tanzania, from 2019 to 2021, AICC and JNICC are proud of the tremendous achievements they have made during the last three years under President Samia.
He said that Covid-19 affected conference tourism and conference services globally, as well as in Tanzania. However, he commended the measures taken by the six phase government under President Dr Samia, who steered and launched the Royal Tour Film.
This initiative positively impacted the tourism sector, including leisure tourism, conference tourism, and conference services in the country
