TANAPA scoops European award
TANZANIA National Parks (TANAPA) has scooped a prestigious European Quality Choice Diamond award in 2022, flying high as the tourism destination.
The award, bestowed by European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), is the third in a row to be won by the TANAPA, thanks to its finest practices in conservation and tourism services.
“Tanzania National Parks has been crowned as the recipient of the Quality Choice Diamond Prize 2022, owing to its best practices in conservation and tourism services,” the ESQR CEO, Mr Michael Harris, announced during the gala dinner and award giving ceremony in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday.
The TANAPA Eastern Zone Senior Deputy Conservation Commissioner, Mr Massana Mwishawa, and the Deputy Conservation Commissioner in charge of Business Portfolio, Ms Beatrice Kessy, were part of the global players in quality products and services at the ESQR’s red-carpet reception to collect the ultimate annual prize on behalf of TANAPA.
Believing desirable characteristics of products and services make a positive contribution to lives; ESQR promotes quality awareness, recognises good business practices, technological innovation, quality achievements in organisations globally, and publicises the organisations’ success performance strategies.
It acknowledges and rewards in presence of the international business community award-winning entities for their hard work and commitment to quality based on polls results, consumers’ opinions, research and market study.
Whereas in 2020, TANAPA won the ESQR Best Practice Gold Award, the parastatal received the Quality Achievement Platinum Prize in 2021 and the Quality Choice Diamond Honour in 2022, implying the national parks custodian’s persistence in conservation and tourism services.
In his remarks, the TANAPA Conservation Commissioner, Mr William Mwakilema, said: “No doubt, our meticulous efforts to conserve flora and fauna within the 22 national parks, provide customised tourism services, experience and to embrace innovation have brought us at the red-carpet reception to receive the ESQR ultimate prize as the winner of the quality choice diamond 2022.”
“We are deeply grateful for continued support from the satisfied tourists and green supporters whose anonymous votes enabled our victory. We feel extremely honoured and humbled to clinch such a prestigious ESQR decoration,” said Mr Mwakilema, adding:
“Although we have previously won a number of awards, this latest prize is truly inspirational. It’s incredible to be nominated as the finest service provider in the tourism industry and as the conservation driver.”
“I promise all tourists and nature enthusiasts that we are dedicated to ensure all 22 national parks remain wild for them to enjoy connecting with nature,” he pledged.
Mr Mwakilema was optimistic the international recognition would not only create enough buzz among TANAPA staff to heighten their morale, but will also enhance tourists’ confidence.
“Much as the prize comes with intensified client awareness, tourists will feel confident in Tanzania and become loyal to the tourism destination than ever before,” the TANAPA Chief noted.
He further said the award would complement efforts of the Tanzania President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and her administration in spurring the tourism industry for it to contribute significantly to the economy.
“The prize will go a long way in invigorating tourism, thus putting the country in a better position to achieve its five million visitors target by 2025,” Mr Mwakilema said.
The ruling CCM party pledges in its 2020 election manifesto that the industry will attract five million tourists in five years, leaving behind nearly 6.6 billion US dollars, with expected real multiplier effects to a mass of ordinary folks, particularly women and youths.
Tourism remains at the heart of Tanzania’s economy in terms of contribution to its GDP, foreign currency and jobs, let alone the integral role the industry plays in connecting other sectors with the global economy.
In real terms, tourism is Tanzania’s money-spinning industry, as it creates 1.3 million decent jobs, generates 2.6 billion US dollars annually, equivalent to 18 per cent as well as 30 per cent of the country’s GDP and export receipts, respectively.
