State vows to boost tourism expansion

 Natural Resources and Tourism minister Khamis Kagasheki.

PHOTOJOURNO TOURISM 

By  Adams Ihucha,The citizen

Posted  Monday, December 9   2013 

In Summary

“We want to move from conservative beliefs that the private sector has no choice but to obey the government,”

Arusha.The government has announced measures it will take with a view to boosting tourism growth.

From 2014, key state-run-tourism agencies will engage tour operators on a quarterly basis 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 minister said.

Natural Resources and Tourism minister Khamis Kagasheki unveiled the measures during a colourful Tato annual gala dinner held in Arusha at the 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 the tax regime in tourism industry and exploring new avenues to collect taxes, are among the measures to be implemented.

“I’ve said it time and again, the government does not do business, but it can create a suitable environment for tourism to flourish,” he said. The minister expressed his dismay that Tanzania was the world second best tourist destination after Brazil in terms of natural attractions, yet it receives few tourists.

“We want to move from conservative beliefs that the private sector has no choice but to obey the government,” he said.

Tato chairman Willy Chambulo, said tour operators were keen to work with the government.

He implored the government to recognise tourism as a leading foreign currency earner surpassing gold in the year ending September 2013. Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Monthly Economic Review showed 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.