Domestic tourism must be enhanced in Tanzania

By Elias Mhegera, October 2011
IT is expected that the new policy in tourism in Tanzania will stimulate the coming of more tourists after so many years of stereotypes policies.

Speaking to The Express on Saturday last week, during the World Tourism Day, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Ezekiel Maige said that for a number of years Tanzania has been charging heavily in various a few tourists who manage to visit this country.

He said this is one amongst many reasons which distracted tourists in Tanzania. Instead, he said there is a need now to reduce any charges in order to attract more of theme regardless of the minor payments that they can pay.

He urged other stakeholders to contribute towards these efforts by producing quality goods that will be worth drawing the attention of buyers in the world market.

“We cannot rely on the Government alone to bring changes in the tourism industry but all stakeholders like travel agencies, tourist hotels, game reserves and national parks in their own right to contribute towards these efforts,” he said.

Charles Lupilya the CEO of the Dar es Salaam Tourism Executive Board said that tourism in this country is affected by many factors; he mentioned those as poor infrastructure, lack of qualified staff in dealing with tourism matters, and power blackouts.

He revetaled that if tourists are affected by power blackout in major city centres of this country like Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza it is easy for them to conclude that the situation is even worse in the tourist hotels located in game reserves and Tanzania National Parks.

He was also concerned that the heavy traffic jam particularly in Dar es Salaam which is already affected by warm climate could add much to the embarrassments that tourists suffers whenever they visit Tanzania.

However Lupilya said that this country could earn a lion of share its incomes once citizens are empowered to understand that tourism is not only to do with tourist hotels, because there are many avenues like cultural tourism which can be promoted through arts and other linking techniques.

“We should learn from others like Brazilians who have turned Samba into an international dance which has attracted many all over the world to visit that country for learning how to dance such a unique style.
Lupilya urged Tanzanian to capitalize on preparing quality souvenirs which is part of mechanisms to promote tourism. He lauded carvers and drawers who have managed to promote well this country through carvings and tinga tinga drawings.

On her part Ms Renata Anacleth sales officer with Afrika Sana said that some dealers in the tourism industry are a hindrance towards promotion of this country because they produce poor quality goods. She asked those who dealing in sales of tie and dye to make consultation to the companies which have been in the business for a number of years.