Arusha. Wedding is a sleeping giant in the travel and tourism industry, with a huge potential for Tanzania to hook the lion’s share, a global travel agent has said, thanks to its finest natural beauty.
The global destination wedding market, currently valued at $36.49 billion, up from $27.64 billion in 2023, is marking an astounding growth of 32 percent.
This burgeoning industry thrives on a symphony of unique experiences, amplified by the growing affordability of travel, the pervasive influence of social media on travel trends, and a surging interest in wedding tourism.
“Tanzania promises unparalleled settings for modern wedding celebrations,” said Ms Kitzia Morales who doubles as the president of International Association of Destination Wedding Professionals (IADWP).
Once known primarily for its extraordinary wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes, Tanzania is most likely to witness a remarkable transformation.
Beyond the legendary Serengeti National Park, Africa’s towering sentinel Mount Kilimanjaro, and the lush Ngorongoro Crater—familiarly hailed as Africa’s Eden Garden—Tanzania is better positioned to vie for its place as a premier wedding destination.
“Picture couples exchanging vows against the backdrop of rolling savannahs, atop Kilimanjaro’s majestic peak, or on the pearl-white beaches of Zanzibar; these visions are set to become realities,” Ms Morales noted.
She added: “Tanzania is the most beautiful tourism destination anyone can fathom, from its finest national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro, to the serene Zanzibar beaches. It’s high time tour operators incorporated weddings into their itineraries to harvest the dollars.”
“Imagine the deep greens and sweeping vistas of the luxurious wilderness hotels,” she cited, adding others such as the hypnotic allure of thunderous waterfalls, and the tranquil beauty of Zanzibar’s coastline, as some of the preferred sceneries for the modern weddings.
It is an open invitation for couples seeking exotic locales for their nuptials, Ms Morales said, adding that with tour operators ready to seize this golden opportunity, Tanzania is poised to emerge as the ultimate wedding destination, transforming its tourism landscape and beckoning lovers from across the globe to join in wedlock amidst its breathtaking splendour.
For his part, Turkey Travel Agent who serves as the vice president of Istanbul Tourism Association (ISTA), Mr Murtaza Kalender, said Tanzania has what it takes to woo 15 million tourists in the next decade, if the current efforts to engage global travel agents, are sustained.
The African Queen Adventures CEO, Ms Alice Manupa in collaboration with, Rethinking Tourism Africa backed by the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has successfully managed to roll out a red carpet for 120 global travel agents from 56 countries around the World for B2B meetings with the local tour operators.
Deputy Conservation Commissioner in the Research and Training section of the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Iman Nkuwi, presented the Tanzania tourism investment opportunities saying the country needs investors in state-of-the-art recreation facilities, wildlife captive facilities, lodge and camps, bee keeping, forestry, MICE, among others.
“We have earmarked a total of 179 investment sites for accommodation facilities with the capacity to add extra 7,744 beds,” Mr Nkuwi explained.
The International Tourism Summit Africa 2024 was not just about boardrooms and handshakes.
The ITSA has orchestrated an extraordinary familiarisation trip.
“Imagine the top agents exploring our natural national parks, encountering diverse wildlife, and falling in love with Tanzania’s soul-stirring beauty” Ms Manupa said.
Mr Sirili Akko, CEO of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato), echoes their excitement. “The arrival of the top 120 global travel agents is monumental. It signals their confidence in our nation—a premier destination for travel and adventure” Mr Akko said.
“As the B2B interactions unfold, local tour companies stand to gain. These doors swing wide open, bridging continents and creating lasting partnerships” said Edna Foya, the director of the Rethinking Tourism Africa (RTA).
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania PS Wants Greater Public Awareness in Health Insurance
Dodoma — PERMANENT Secretary (PS) for Health Ministry, Prof Abel Makubi, said accomplishing universal health insurance requires greater awareness to members of the public before the programme kicks off on July 1, 2023.Continue Reading
Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’
Monrovia — The Rwanda Minister of State responsible for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, cautioned that while the country is beginning to see positive signals in its fight against the Marburg virus, the outbreak is “not yet over”. He, however, expressed hope that “we are headed in that direction”. The minister said the epidemiology trend, since the disease was first discovered in the country more than a month ago, is moving towards fewer cases.
Dr. Butera, who was giving updates during an online briefing yesterday, said in the past two weeks, only two deaths were recorded while 14 people recovered from the disease. He said Rwanda was expanding its testing capacity with 16,000 people already inoculated against the disease.
The priority right now, Butera said, is “rapid testing and detection”.
Marburg is a highly virulent disease transmitted through human-to-human contact or contact with an infected animal. The fatality rate of cases, which has varied over the period, is more than 50%, according to the World Health Organization. WHO said the highest number of new confirmed cases in Rwanda were reported in the first two weeks of the outbreak. There’s been a “sharp decline” in the last few weeks, with the country now tackling over 60 cases.
At Thursday’s briefing, a senior official of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, said mpox – the other infectious disease outbreak that countries in the region are fighting – was been reported in 19 countries, with Mauritius being the latest country to confirm a case. He said although no new cases have been recorded in recent weeks in several countries where outbreaks occurred previously – including Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, and Gabon – Uganda confirmed its first Mpox death. This, he said, is one of two fatalities reported outside Central Africa.
Dr. Ngashi revealed that there was an increase in cases in Liberia and Uganda. He said mpox cases were still on an upward trend.
“The situation is not yet under control.”
Source: allafrica.com
