Tanzania sees revenue from ecotourism surpasses 3bn/- due to sharp rise in number of visitors

DODOMA: REVENUE generated from ecotourism attractions managed by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) has surpassed 3bn/-, driven by a sharp rise in number of visitors and growing interest in environmental tourism across the country.

This was revealed by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ashatu Kijaji when presenting the 2026/2027 budget to parliamentarians in Dodoma on Friday saying the number of tourists visiting ecotourism sites under TFS increased by 20 per cent within one year.

Elaborating, the minister said that a total of 329,753 tourists visited the attractions by April 2026, up from 275,723 tourists recorded during the corresponding period last year.

She noted that the increase pushed tourism revenue to 3.09bn/- from 2.16bn/- in the previous year, equivalent to a 43 per cent rise in earnings.

“TFS has continued strengthening eco-tourism infrastructure by constructing six tourism gates in various areas including Meru, Vikindu, Mount Rungwe and Lake Duluti,” she said.

Additionally, she said that the agency also rehabilitated 287.14 kilometres of walking trails, internal forest roads and eight tourist camps to improve visitor experience.

According to Dr Kijaji, several tourism and environmental sports festivals held this year attracted thousands of participants and boosted domestic tourism citing that the events included “Tukutane Mt. Rungwe Season II,” “Lake Ngosi,” “Meru Adventure Race” and the “Kalambo Waterfalls Tourism Festival.”

Looking ahead, she said TFS plans to further improve tourism infrastructure during the 2026/2027 financial year in preparation for major international events including the Africa Cup of Nations and Miss World competitions.