Government and tour operators forges united front to boost tourism growth

The government has vowed to work closely with the tour operators in a latest effort to boost tourism growth in the country.

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki made a pledge at the weekend during the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) annual gala dinner held in Arusha.

Minister of tourism and natural resources Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki flanked by Tanzania association of Tour operators  leaders

“I commend TATO for taking the tourism industry to the higher level as the country has witnessed a number of tourists clinching to one million mark this year, lets work together to boost the arrivals and revenues” Ambassador Kagasheki told the audience.

He promised the tourism captains the maximum cooperation from his ministry to make their operations more easy than ever before.

The Minister said that Tanzania doesn’t get the visitors it deserves taking into consideration that recently was voted as the second world best tourist destination only after Brazil in terms of natural attractions.

“We all know that the government is not doing business, our biggest role is to create an enabling environment for private sector to operate smoothly, so its up to you tour operators to promote tourism in order to bring more visitors” he stressed.

For his part, TATO chairman, Willy Chambulo demanded the government to recognize the contribution of tourism sector in the country economic growth.

Chambulo said that this year tourism has been the leading sector to bring more foreign currencies, surpassing the traditional gold mineral.

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 USD to 1.82 billion USD, while gold export revenues declined from 2.15 billion USD to 1.74 billion USD.

“We need the government to do the neediful like on security issues and taxation in order for them to promote the sector effectively” Chambulo explained.

TATO’s Public Relations chief, Fazal Zuher said the gala dinner will be an annual event to bring together players in tourism sector and the government officials not only to celebrate, but also to chart the way forward.

“This is new TATO and this gala dinner is one of the raft of events that will be held annually to bring together the key players in tourism and government officials to networking” Fazal concluded