Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is comfortably gaining from tourism as the sector shows signs of a complete recovery from the negative effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Official figures now put the number of tourist arrivals at a record 2.026 million.
The figures, published by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) show that these tourists brought in a record $3.534 billion during the year ended July 2024.
This, according to the BoT’s Monthly Economic Review (MER) for August 2024, was $531.8 million more than what the country registered during the preceding year.
“The rise in travel receipts arises from the recovery observed in the tourism industry, reflected by the increase of tourist arrivals by 22 percent to 2,026,378,” the BoT says in the report.
This rise propelled Tanzania’s services receipts increase to $6.706 billion during the year ending July 2024, up from $5.542 billion in the corresponding period in 2023, the BoT says.
Analysts say the numbers reflect a full recovery from the travel restrictions imposed by major source countries world the Covid-19.
They (the numbers) are also a result of country’s own marketing initiatives, including ‘Tanzania: The Royal Tour’ documentary.
Tanzania had a target of receiving two million tourists in 2020 but the target was knocked down by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
With the pandemic, the number dropped from 1.3 million in 2019 to only about 600,000 in 2020.
It was against such a background that the Tanzania: The Royal Tour documentary was filmed.
The Royal Tour is a series of television specials, produced and hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Greenberg, showcasing Tanzania’s tourist attractions, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the tour guide.
In line with its traditional markets, the film was first launched at New York in the United States, targeting the big spenders and goers of the west to showcase the natural and cultural heritage that Tanzania do possess. It was then filmed in Los Angeles before it was brought home to Zanzibar and Arusha.
Tanzania Local Tour Operators (TLTO) chairman Samuel Daniel emphasised the importance of continuing to market Tanzania’s attractions. “The Royal Tour documentary, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, effectively stimulated interest in Tanzania.
However, many people still remain unaware of what Tanzania has to offer. The Tanzania Tourist Board and the Ministry should keep promoting these attractions,” he said.
Mr Daniel also highlighted the need for Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) to create a more tourist-friendly environment with affordable travel options. He pointed out that high tourist costs are a concern and stressed the need for a coordinated effort to address these issues.
In addition, Daniel underscored the necessity for improved infrastructure, including roads and hotels, to maintain and grow tourist interest.
Meanwhile the Executive Director of the Hotel Association of Tanzania, Kennedy Edward, attributed the increase in tourist numbers to long-term initiatives from 2021 to 2023.
He noted that improvements in service, such as the transition to digital visa processing, have positively impacted the tourism sector.
“Service quality has improved across both public and private sectors, enhancing the overall tourist experience,” Edward said.
However, Edward also pointed out that while the North region and Zanzibar are performing well, other areas with significant potential such as forest reserves, marine parks and cultural tourism site remain untapped.
He said the focus moving forward will be on capturing these untapped markets and further enhancing Tanzania’s tourism infrastructure to build on the current success.
On his part, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, Chairman Wilbard Chambulo said that the Royal tour has played a great role in advertising Tanzania tourist’s attractions.
However, he noted that Tanzania needs to invest more on accommodation and infrastructure especially as some roads leading to national parks are difficult to reach.
“The government also needs to improve its investment policy to put up more investments in the tourists sector,” he said.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, as quoted from the Immigration department, show that the United States is the key source of tourists to Tanzania, followed by Italy, Germany, Zambia, United Kingdom, France, Kenya, Burundi, Spain and Uganda.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Canada and India complete the list of top 15.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
