TANZANIA is fast becoming a preferred destination for Israelis, if the number of tourists from the Middle Eastern country visiting Tanzania lately, is anything to go by.
According to the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), tourists from Israel have more often than not, booked flights to Tanzania, to sample the abundance of wealth of natural resources offered by the East African nation.
However, of all the attractions found in Tanzania, the descendants of the ‘Promised Land’ have arguably been mesmerised by culture tourism in the country.
“Israel is without a doubt becoming a new tourism market for destination Tanzania, especially on Culture Tourism,” Ms Esther Solomon, TTB’s northern zone tourism officer said.
According to Ms Solomon, the sheer number of Israelis who jetted in the country for Easter festivities attested their craving for visiting Tanzania.
“Even when doing their online bookings, Israelis prioritize culture tourism on their bucket list,” said the TTB official.
While US nationals lead the pack with the most visitors touring Tanzania every year, Israel is fast catching up, proving to be another potential market for the 2 billion US dollars-a-year- industry.
This comes as 340 tourists Israel arrived in the country aboard a chartered Ethiopian Airlines, for the Easter festivities.
According to TTB, at least 1,100 Israelis toured the country between March 29, 2023 and April 10 this year, with a sole purpose of sampling Tanzania’s touristic attractions.
The visitors have used both, the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport as their entry and exit points.
Two years ago, 150 tourists from Israel arrived in the country.
The contingent is part of a group of 550 tourists from the Middle Eastern country who toured the country for tourism purposes in phases.
Tanzania has been among African countries attracting Israeli tourists who mostly prefer touring wildlife parks and the Indian Ocean Island of Zanzibar.
In 2017, Former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak poured praises on the country’s tourist potential and promised to come at some point.
Mr Barak, who was accompanied by 24 people including his family members, sampled wildlife animals, plant species and landscapes at Serengeti National Parks, before heading to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
“Tanzania is a place to visit again,” said Mr Barak who served as the tenth prime minister from 1999 to 2001. Last year, a total of 140 tourists from Israel jetted into the country.
In recent years, Tanzania has been receiving an average of 2,000 tourists from Israel each year.
