TAWA signs agreements to boost tourism infrastructure

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) has signed agreements with four companies to boost tourism infrastructure.

The Authority struck the deals with Sea and Bush Limited, Ritungu Tours and Safaris Limited and other partners for projects in Kijereshi, Pande, Swagaswaga game reserves and the Makuyuni area.

Sea and Bush Limited will undertake the construction of lodges and tourist camps in Kijereshi Game Reserve and Makuyuni Wildlife Reserve.

Ritungu Tours and Safaris Limited will focus on leasing and operating the Swagaswaga Reserve Wild Hostel in Dodoma and managing a zipline at Pande Game Reserve in Dar es Salaam.

At the signing ceremony held over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, TAWA’s Board of Directors Chairman, Major General (Retired) Hamis Semfuko, emphasised that the agreements are part of TAWA’s efforts to support President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision for promoting and developing tourism in Tanzania.

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Semfuko stated that TAWA expects to generate 27.3bn/- annually from these investments. He assured that the authority will closely monitor the implementation of these agreements to ensure they meet their objectives and contribute positively to the sector.

“All board members will support the investors to help them achieve their goals in areas managed by TAWA,” Semfuko stressed. He also highlighted that these agreements are aimed at increasing government revenue and creating job opportunities for Tanzanians.

TAWA Conservation Commissioner Mabula Misungwi Nyanda reported that, for the 2023/24 financial year, TAWA had announced various investment opportunities in its areas. The authority received five applications from three companies interested in these opportunities.

Nyanda noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s goal of increasing the number of tourists from 1.5m/- to 5m/- and raising tourism revenue from 2.6 billion US dollars to 6 billion US dollars, as outlined in the Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDPII) and the ruling party’s CCM 2020/2025 Election Manifesto.