Tanzania's high turnout at Berlin tourism fair indicator of improving, growing sector

By Correspondent

10th March 2015

 

The increased number of participants from Tanzania at the world renowned German tourism fair, the ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin), is a clear indicator of the sector’s improving performance, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Lazaro Nyalandu told the Swahili Service of Deutchwelle Radio.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the radio at the country’s pavilion, the minister said Tanzania has this year sent more participants than any other East African country.

“The number of private companies and government institutions from both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar at this year’s 49th edition of ITB has tremendously increased…Tanzania registered more participants than all other East African counties,” the minister noted.

“This indicates that the tourism sector has tremendously advanced in Tanzania,” the minister went on to say.

“Apart from this, Tanzania’s stand here at the ITB is also attracting an outstanding number of visitors in comparison to the other countries in the region,” he added. 

With at least Sixty (60) private companies and some 160 exhibitors from various government institutions representing both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, the Tanzanian pavilion is a key interest stop for visitors at the fair.

This first group of exhibitors is under the coordination of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) while another seventeen (17) companies with forty (40) exhibitors are taking part at the show under the coordination of the Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators (ZATO).

In addition to these, another six companies with 13 exhibitors all of which operate in Tanzania are participating privately at the ITB.  

In a related development, Minister Nyalandu said  the EAC member states have begun harmonising regional tourism sector polices and laws in anticipation of a full cooperation, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Lazaro Nyalandu told the Swahili Service of Deutchwelle Radio in Berlin, German earlier this week.

Speaking in an exclusive interview at the 49th ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin), the minister said harmonisation of hospitality policies and laws in the region is already in progress.

“The focus will be on quality and not quantity,” he said.

“Harmonisation of policies and laws will develop mechanism on the movement of people and skills in this vibrant industry,” Minister Nyalandu added.

 However, he pointed out that striking the delicate balance between developing creative products that will continuously attract visitors to the region and sustaining the natural resources, requires measures to be undertaken that will ensure the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wildlife and other tourists attractions especially outside protected areas.

“It will entail, adopting common polices on wildlife management and development, joint efforts in controlling and monitoring encroachment and poaching activities, common use of training and research facilities, and developing management plans for trans-border protected areas,” the minister detailed.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN