Lake Zone Cultural, Tourism Festival launched in Dar

THE much-awaited inaugural Lake Zone Cultural and Tourism Festival has been launched in Dar es Salaam to adhere to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s call for promotion of cultural tourism.

DAR ES SALAAM: THE much-awaited inaugural Lake Zone Cultural and Tourism Festival has been launched in Dar es Salaam to adhere to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s call for promotion of cultural tourism.

The launching event organised by Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Ltd overthe-weekend was attended by various stakeholders, including the National Arts Council (BASATA), Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB), and culture stakeholders from Bariadi and Simiyu.

Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours Managing Director, Christina Emmanuel said it was the first time the company was involved in cultural and tourism issues. She said she was optimistic that the festival would be well received by Simiyu residents and those from neighbouring regions.

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“This festival is scheduled to take place from 5th to 7th July this year, among other things, we expect to have various cultural and tourism exhibitions at the Municipal Council Stadium and will attract over 7,000 participants and spectators for these three days,” she said.

Emannuel added that it would include dances and performances from Gika and Gulu tribes, various games and different foodstuffs.

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Company Director Mohamed Hatibu called on businesspeople, companies, institutions and other stakeholders to support this fascinating event as a way of helping the government in the promotion of culture and tourism in the Lake Zone.

“We are well-prepared and we are sure that this festival will be successful and will be held every year,” he said, adding that the festival was expected to attract tourists from within and outside the country.

Director of the Department of Promotion and Development of Arts from BASATA, Edward Buganga hailed organisers for promoting culture and tourism in the country, calling on other stakeholders to support the festival morally and financially.

“It is a big festival of its kind that we as Tanzanians should be proud of, that it is our festival for the development of our culture and tourism,” he said.

TTB Marketing Officer Nassor Garamatatu congratulated Kilimanjaro One Travel and Tours for connecting culture and tourism as the two were inextricably linked and could not be separated.

“Right now, we as TTB are very focused on promoting cultural tourism, President Samia has insisted on promoting our culture that’s why we are ready to support this international event to promote cultural and tourist attractions,” said Garamatatu.

Among the partners and sponsors of the festival include Tigo, NMB Bank, Z&M General Traders, Wide Scope Enterprises Limited, and Care Health and Hospitality Services.