By ADAM IHUCHA
Tanzania has unveiled a package of steps to help boost
tourism growth, vowing to work closely with private sector, as it seeks closer
ties with the resource-rich tour operators.
From 2014, key state-run-tourism agencies will be engaging
tour operators quarterly to explore new ideas, strategies and solve emerging
hitches to afford tourism lump.
Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Authority (NCAA) would be meeting Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
(TATO), a cabinet Minister has said.
Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Khamis Kagasheki
unveiled the measures during the colorful TATO annual gala dinner held in
Arusha at the weekend.
Mr Kagasheki said the public and private sector would forge
a united front in a bid to explore best practices to increase tourist arrivals
in the country.
Revising tax regime in tourism industry and explore new avenues
to collect taxes, are among the raft of measures to be employed to relief 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 second best tourist destination only after Brazil in terms of
abundant natural attractions, but yet it receives few tourists.
“We want to move from conservative beliefs that 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 walk with the government because they are peaceful people whose
interests is 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 the 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 more 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 more stronger,” concluded Mr Fazal, who is also the Managing
Director for one of the largest tour company, Leopard tours.
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