ROYAL TOUR, AMAZING TANZANIA: Films drive tourism surge
MOROGORO: THE tourism promotion initiatives undertaken by President Samia Suluhu Hassan have led to a significant increase in international tourists by 132.1 per cent from 2021 to 2024.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, attributed the growth largely to the President’s strategic tourism promotion initiatives.
These efforts, notably through The Royal Tour and Amazing Tanzania films, have significantly raised Tanzania’s profile in the global tourism arena.
Dr Kijaji noted that the number of international visitors rose from 922,692 in 2021 to 2,141,895 in 2024, reflecting a significant 132 per cent increase.
Dr Kijaji spoke of the positive development in the tourism sector recently while addressing journalists at Mikumi National Park in Morogoro Region to highlight the achievements of the sixth phase government through the ministry, as well as strategies for strengthening conservation and tourism development in the country.
She said that domestic tourism has also recorded strong growth, with the number of local tourists increasing from 788,933 in 2021 to 3,218,352 in 2024.
As a result, Dr Kijaji said the total number of tourists visiting various attractions nationwide has reached over 5.3 million, representing an increase of 116.02 per cent.
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The minister added that both domestic and international tourists continue to trust and choose Tanzania as a safe destination for unforgettable experience of a wide range of tourist attractions. She further explained that in 2025 alone, tourist numbers have increased by nine per cent compared to 2024.
Dr Kijaji underscored that tourism remains one of the country’s strategic and transformative sectors due to its significant and measurable contribution to the national economy.
Current statistics indicate that the sector contributes approximately 25 per cent of foreign exchange earnings and about 17.2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She also revealed that the ministry has developed new strategic tourism products to further stimulate growth in the sector which includes Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, beach and marine tourism, as well as historical and heritage tourism.
Other emerging products she said, include sports tourism, cultural tourism and ecotourism. Meanwhile, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said the region has become a key hub for domestic tourism, supported by modern infrastructure, particularly improved road networks and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
He explained that the availability of user-friendly infrastructure has made it easier for both local and international tourists to access tourist attractions within the region in a timely manner.
Mr Malima added that Morogoro is among the regions with a wide range of attractions, including Mikumi, Udzungwa and Nyerere National Parks, the Wami Mbiki Game Reserve managed by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and other historical sites.
“Currently, the region has announced investment opportunities in the Doma areas of Mvomero and Kilosa districts, so we request the ministry to support these goals and promote them,” said Mr Malima.
