BUILDING on Royal Tour documentary, different public and private institutions have expressed commitments and mechanisms towards boosting country’s tourism and support President Samia Suluhu Hassan in this endeavor.
The institutions gave their determinations in Dar es Salaam over the weekend when they were brought together for ‘Royal Tour Executives’ Dinner and Concert’ which was graced by Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye.
The institutions were those sponsored the event, including the Tanzania Standard Newspapers (TSN), which publishes Daily News, Sunday News, Habarileo, Habarileo Jumapili and Spotileo.
Other institutions include State airline (ATCL), Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, Travel Partners Ltd, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and others.
Speaking at the event which was organized by Congolese community here in the country, Minister Nnauye, commended the organizers and participating institutions for supporting President Samia’s efforts to uplift tourism.
“You would agree with me that President Samia has opened up the country, with country’s tourism being invigorated. Previously many hotels closed due to low number of visitors but now hotels are overwhelmed by visitors. Those who had parked their tourist vehicles are now increasingly ordering them,” Mr Nnauye stated, adding: “When the country opens up we create more jobs.”
The event was enlivened by famous Congolese top musician Koffi Olomide.
Marketing and promotion manager for the TSN, Mr Akim Maghali, said the company would closely cooperate with institutions running the Royal Tour series to promote mainly domestic tourism.
“Through our media outlets we will continue informing and marketing opportunities in tourism and give platforms to stakeholders to promote and tribute the Royal Tour Programme,” he said.
“We ATCL are happy to be part of this event in supporting President’s efforts to ensure that Tanzania tourism brings benefits. We have taken part because tourism and aviation is inseparable,” Eng Ladislaus Matindi, ATCL’s Managing Director.
Eng Matindi argued that in order to do better in tourism improving aviation transport is inevitable.
This is why the government has heavily invested in the ATCL in order to make the country’s tourism competitive in the market.
“Currently, ATCL extends its network, particularly domestic travels to ensure that tourist attractions are easily and timely accessed, we already have 14 destinations in the country, out of which 10 are zonal destinations,” he said.
Chairman of the Tawa Board of Directors, retired Major General Hamis Semfuko outlined measures the authority will embark on to boost domestic tourism.
Among others, he said they will purchase two tourist buses to carry domestic tourists to Pande forests in the Dar es Salaam’s outskirts and well as introduce ‘Weekend Bash’ and bring in more wild animals.
“We aim to boost domestic tourism. I hope such initiatives will make us achieve,” he said.
On his part, TBC Director-General Dr Ayub Rioba, elaborated on role of media in boosting tourism, saying the media has a big role to play including to inform the public about issues of tourism and market the sector.