Government urges better visitor experience before AFCON 2027

ARUSHA: THE government has urged service providers handling foreign visitors to improve customer service ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Hassan Abbas, made the call during a training workshop for tourism service providers at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

“The government is working day and night to make sure that the country becomes ready to receive a big number of visitors who are expected to arrive during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament,” he said.

Abbas noted that the government is preparing for the expected increase in visitors during the tournament by upgrading border posts, airports and seaports, while improving immigration and hospitality services.

Abbas said airport workers and other service providers should help create a positive experience for visitors arriving in Tanzania during the tournament.

“The preparations include continuing to modernise immigration and hospitality services, deploying the advanced passenger information system and upgrading infrastructure at all border posts, airports and seaports,” Abbas said.

He also called on the private sector to support preparations and in turn benefit from business opportunities linked to AFCON 2027. “While the government is making all these efforts, you, the service providers at our airports, also have the responsibility to ensure that you brand Tanzania as a country of peace, love and solidarity,” he said.

The workshop brought together participants from institutions operating at KIA, including immigration, aviation, revenue, wildlife, health and emergency services agencies.