S!TE propels efforts to notch five million tourists’ arrivals
TANZANIA: TANZANIA is rigorously pushing to attain its target for notching five (5) million tourists’ arrivals that will bring into the country’s coffers some 6 billion US dollars (about 14tri/-) come 2025 and the 7th Swahili International Tourim Expo (S!TE 2023) is perfectly suited to propel the campaign.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Angellah Kairuki said in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday that the 7th Swahili International Tourism Expo that runs from this Friday to Sunday at the Mlimani City grounds will bring together over 200 exhibitors, including those from foreign nations.
“I’m pleased to inform you that all necessary preparations to host the Expo are complete and members of the public are encouraged to turn out in large numbers for what is billed to be a memorable outing,” she told journalists.
At the exhibition, various wild animals, including lions, leopards, pythons, hyenas, ostriches and different species of birds will be on display at a mini-zoo,” she said.
The event focuses on inbound and outbound travel to and within Africa. S!TE aims at drawing a lot of tourism and travel professionals from all over the world.
The event is aimed at promoting Tanzania’s tourism to international markets and facilitate linking of companies based in Tanzania, Eastern and Central Africa with tourism companies from other parts of the world.
The exhibition has a character of a business networking event for the tourism industry, with components of social dimension to attract local population, families and experts over the weekend.
“The S!TE 2023 is expected to bring together more than 200 exhibitors from the tourism industry as well as 150 international buyers from primary and emerging tourism markets,” the minister said.
Adding: “The event has proved to be an effective bridge between local operating tourism companies and those from East Africa, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as those from international tourism markets.”
In particular, the minister said this year’s exhibition will bring together various stakeholders, including ambassadors who are representing their countries in Tanzania and tourism boards from African countries, including Uganda and Malawi.
She noted “This is a great opportunity for tourism stakeholders in the country to meet their foreign counterparts, which will help expand the scope of tourism in the country and boost the country’s economy through this sector.”
On his part, the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Director General, Damasi Mfugale said the country is making significant efforts towards attaining the target of 5 million tourist arrivals by 2025.
He said S!TE is among initiatives that will help the country to achieve its target of notching an income of 6 billion US dollars (about 14tri/-) from 5,000,000 tourists come 2025 as stipulated in the Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III of 2020/2021 to 2025/2026).
“We are on course to implement FYDP III, as well as ruling party CCM Election Manifesto 2020-2025,” he said.
To promote the sector’s competitiveness and linkages, FYDP III is prioritising the development and implementation of a clear tourism legal and regulatory framework and strengthening public-private dialogue and collaboration.
Key interventions include promoting new tourism products development and diversification for sustainable growth and to promote southern tourist circuit as alternative to other circuits.
