THE GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA OUTLINES PLAN TO BOOST TOURISM GROWTH

The government has unveiled a package of steps to help boost tourism growth, vowing to work closely with the private sector, as it seeks closer ties with tour operators. From 2014, key state-run-tourism agencies will be engaging tour operators quarterly to explore new ideas, strategies and solve emerging hitches in the tourist industry.

Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) will be meeting Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) regularly.

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Khamis Kagasheki unveiled the measures during a colorful TATO annual gala dinner held in Arusha last weekend.

Mr Kagasheki said the public and private sectors would forge a united front in a bid to explore best practices to increase tourist arrivals in the country.

Revising tax regime in the tourism industry and exploring new avenues to collect taxes, are among the raft of measures to be employed to relieve tour operators.

"I've said it time and again government can't do business, but it can create suitable environment for tourism to flourish" he told his audience.

The cabinet Minister expressed his dismay that Tanzania is the world's second best tourist destination only after Brazil in terms of abundant natural attractions, but yet it receives few tourists.

Khamis Kagasheki, Natural Resources and

Tourism Minister.

"We want to move from conservative beliefs that the private sector has no choice than to obey the government's demands" he said, amid applause from the floor.

TATO chairman, Mr Willy Chambulo said that tour operators are keen to work with the government because they are peaceful people whose interests are not only to make profits, but also to help economic growth.

Mr Chambulo implored the government to recognize tourism as a leading foreign currency earner surpassing gold in the year ending September 2013.

Bank of Tanzania (BoT)'s latest economic review shows that during the period between September 2012 and September 2013, revenues from tourism rose from $1.61 billion to $1.82 billion, while gold export revenues declined from $2.15 billion to $1.74 billion.

"The future looks much brighter than the past with the new TATO management. We want to cooperate with our own government to make tourism grow even further," he stressed.

For Arusha Regional Commissioner, Magesa Mulongo said tourism industry is extremely important, contributing a 20 percent of the total Arusha region's gross domestic product amounting to 2.13 trillion. Arusha contributes 4.9 percent to the national GDP.

TATO Public Relations Chief, Fazal Zuher said that his association plans to make gala dinner an annual event to be a forum where tour operators and government officials could be networking.

"My appeal to you all is that lets cooperate to make the tourism industry stronger," said Mr Fazal, who is also the Managing Director for one of the largest tour company, Leopard tours.