KILIMANJARO: PRIME MINISTER, Kassim Majaliwa has directed the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) to come up with creative programmes that will help to promote available attractions in the Mkomazi National Park, purposely to boost the number of tourists visiting the area.
He said the government has made significant investments, including the construction of roads, a tourist entrance gate and other community services within the park, adding that the authority must take advantage of the opportunities to boost the number of tourists.
The Premier issued the directives yesterday while speaking to park rangers and the public after inaugurating the Ndea tourist entrance gate at the Mkomazi National Park in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region.
“Let us promote our Mkomazi National Park and its attractions such as unique animals that are not found in other places. Make sure they are only found here and provide important information about the distance from Moshi and Tanga to the Park,” said Mr Majaliwa.
He added that the construction of the gate is part of the major improvements made by the sixth phase government to stimulate and increase tourism attractions in the country.
Mr Majaliwa also directed TANAPA to educate local communities about the opportunities of tourism, including identifying products and services that tourists prefer, so that locals can benefit from the business.
Moreover, the Premier instructed the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, to strategise on strengthening communication networks in the routes and areas within the park.
“The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology should ensure reliable communication in the areas of the park,” he said.
In his briefing on the benefits of the gate, the Mkomazi National Park Chief warden, Mr Emmanuel Mwailama said the gate will enable the authority to control the business and thus increase the number of tourists visiting the park.
He said most visitors come to see the lifestyle of the Lake Jipe community, black rhinos and elephants.
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He added that the gate will stimulate economic opportunities for the surrounding communities due to the increase in tourists passing through proper routes and creating job opportunities for residents in the nearby villages.
The construction of the gate has cost 350m/-. The building includes offices for other government departments such as Immigration, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and banks.
