‘SITE’ fair slated for October in Dar
THE government has launched the seventh Swahili International Tourism Expo (SITE) 2023 to take place on 6th-8th October at Mlimani City Conference Center in Dar es Salaam with the aim of promoting Tanzania as the best destination for tourism in the global arena.
Unveiling the statement in Dar es Salaam recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through its marketing wing-Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) further said the sixth SITE that was held on 21st-23rd October, last year in the city proved fruitful with stakeholders, especially the media being in the frontline in promoting destination Tanzania.
It noted that since TTB initiated the Swahili International Tourism Expo in 2014, it has done a lot in marketing strategy, especially wooing investors to invest in the tourism industry, and promoting indoor international travel and tourism fair which brings Tanzania international tourism buyers and travel writers from all over the world.
Reading further it stated: “On the other, SITE covers exhibitions (tourisms operators and other dealers of tourism related products) in Tanzania and from neighbouring countries to showcase their products and services, network, establish new business partnership and strengthen the existing ones.
“Equally, due to multi-initiatives introduced by the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, included and not limited to promoting MICE tourism, it reinitiated the Expo-SITE that was held last year and expect another this year.”
MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions and it represents a lucrative part of the tourism mix across the globe. MICE can also be referred to as Business Tourism or Business Events.
According to the statement, this year’s SITE will feature activities such as business tourism exhibitions, investment forum, seminars, and business networking. It will be followed by familirisation trips for six days to different attraction sites across the country including Mt Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation area, Lake Zone Saanane National Park and the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara.
With the theme-Responsible Tourism for Inclusive Growth-it expects to host more than 200 Exhibitors from the tourism industry as well as 150 international buyers from primary and emerging source markets including the USA, UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, the Gulf countries among others.
It further indicated that the SITE 2023 is aligned to the National Tourism Policy of 2019 and the International Tourism Marketing Strategy for Destination Tanzania 2020-2025 which emphases on promoting destination Tanzania.
“It is also associated with the National Five Years Development Plan III (FYDPIII2021/22-2025/26) that identifies MICE tourism as a strategy to increase the number of tourists and receipts to reach 5 million and 6 billion US Dollars respectively by 2025.
“Additionally, SITE 2023, supports the implementation of the Royal Tour Program that was initiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to market destination Tanzania and promote investment opportunities,” it read in part.
In its appeal to the public, it urged the international stakeholders particularly investors, buyers, and exhibitors and Tanzania tourism business operators to exploit the economic and social opportunities that will result from the show.
“Equally, this is another opportunity for Tanzanians particularly Dar es Salaam residents, accommodation service providers, tour operators, travel agents, tour guides, and the press to actively support and promote this Expo for the benefit of the individuals and country at large.
“Secondly, to vote for our best organisations such the Tanzania Toursit Board (TTB), Tanzania Port Authority (TPA), Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and some attractions such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar attractions in the world through World Travel Agents 2023 of www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.
