The 22nd edition of the summit will be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in the capital, Riyadh, from November 28 to December 1.
The summit, which is held under the theme “Travel for a Better Future,” will discuss a number of important issues, most notably accelerating the pace of the recovery of the tourism sector around the world, and enhancing the sector’s resilience and ability to face various challenges in the future.
They will also discuss ways to ensure the sector’s sustainability.
According to a state house statement, Dr Mwinyi will be representing the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 22nd WTTC Summit.
“The international summit that will discuss the future of the tourism industry, will be attended by various global leaders” reads the statement.
The isles Deputy Director of the Presidential Communications Directorate, Raqey Mohamed, is reported to have told reporters that Dr Mwinyi will, on November 28, address the summit attended by representatives from 10 nations.
He said that the purpose of the summit is to look at the challenges that face tourism and transportation sectors in the countries whose economies depend on the two sectors.
“Many countries have faced economic fallout, especially in countries that rely more on tourism and transportation sectors, so the summit will discuss the challenges and how to overcome them in the future,” Mr Raqey said.
He, however, did not clarify the benefits the country will gain from the summit.
He said : After the summit, there will be a joint decision and clarification of several things,”
“Right now I can’t say what will happen or what benefits there will be; it is too early to say but there will be results, now what will happen, we will be explaining as it happens, but it is a big and important summit.”
Other participants are the hosts Saudi Arabia, Austria, Bulgaria, Barbados, India, Japan, Oman, the US and Philippines.
Zanzibar President Mwinyi leaves at a time when controversy still surrounds the manner in which the tender to handle ground services at the Zanzibar’s International airport was processed.
Tanzania air operators say over 600 workers are set to lose their jobs after the semi-autonomous government of Zanzibar awarded a Dubai-based company exclusive rights to handle ground services at the refurbished airport.
The Tanzania Air Operators Association (Taoa) said in a statement that the contract awarded to DNATA, which is registered at the London Stock Exchange, was in breach of the law banning any company from having exclusive rights to ground-handling services at major airports. This is set to come into effect on 1st December 2022.
Zanzibar Airport Ground Services Controversy
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High Court rejects Transworld’s application
The High Court in Dar es Salaam has struck out an application in which Transworld Aviation, a ground handler at the Abeid Aman Karume International Airport (AAKIA) was seeking permission to sue the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).Continue Reading
CCM ready to task state organs on Zanzibar Airport deal
Ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi-Zanzibar has said it is ready to task state organs to investigate some of the claims against its government that have been raised by opposition politicians on the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA).Continue Reading
Mwinyi lashes out at Zanzibar Airport, Port inefficiency claims
Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi has lashed out at the Opposition ACT Wazalendo, saying that the claims it raised about inefficiency in three areas within his Government were only meant to mislead the publicContinue Reading
Ground handling firms in Zanzibar start cutting jobs
ZAT and Transworld, companies providing ground handling services at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, have to lay off workers to stay afloat.Continue Reading
Mwinyi defends Dnata as Zanzibar Airport plans staff layoffs
Zanzibar’s President Hussein Mwinyi yesterday commissioned the operations of ground handling company Dnata Zanzibar at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA), calling it a historic event.Continue Reading
Zanzibar Airports Authority enforces Dnata monopoly
. Airlines that have not joined the Zanzibar Airports Authority’s (ZAA) preferred ground handler, Dnata, at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA) face eviction from the Terminal Three building Dnata is the sole ground handler authorised to provide services for flights that operate at Terminal 3.Continue Reading
New lawsuit as Zanzibar airport controversy continues
Another company joins the list as they file a petition challenging the exclusive rights granted to Dnata by Zanzibar Airports Authority.Continue Reading
Zanzibar to construct fourth airport terminal building
The government of Zanzibar is conducting a feasibility study to construct a fourth terminal at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA) just months after Terminal 3 is operational.Continue Reading
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‘No Marburg Confirmed In Tanzania’, But Mpox Remains ‘Public Health Emergency’
Monrovia — The Director General of the African Centers for Disease Control, Jean Kaseya, has said the center stands ready to support Tanzania and other countries in the region where suspected cases of the infectious Marburg Virus Disease have been identified. The World Health Organization earlier this week issued an alert warning of a possible outbreak in the country, although the Tanzanian Health Ministry has said tests conducted on available samples did not show the existence of Marburg in the East African nation.
“As of the 15 of January 2025, laboratory results from all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus,” Tanzanian Health Minister Jenista Mhagama said in a statement. This would have marked the country’s second experience with the highly infectious disease that recently killed over a dozen people in neighboring Rwanda. Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in 2023 in the Kegara region, said to have been the epicenter of the new suspected cases.
At the Africa CDC online briefing on Thursday, Kaseya also said another infectious disease, Mpox, “remains a public health concern”. He said that while in December 2024, the disease had afflicted 20 countries, a new country – Sierra Leone – has been added to the number after recent outbreak there. Sierra Leonean health authorities said on January 10 that two cases of Mpox had been confirmed in the country and dozens of contacts are being traced.
With thousands of confirmed cases of Mpox across Africa and more than 1000 people having died of the disease – mainly in Central Africa – Kaseya emphasized the need to increase testing, a theme he’s heralded before. The Africa CDC boss said over the next few months the continental health watchdog will deploy additional epidemiologists and community health workers to areas considered hot spots of infectious diseases in the region.
Source: allafrica.com
Loud calls for investigation of Zanzibar port, ZSSF & airport
The leader of the ACT Wazalendo, Zitto Kabwe has raised three key issue that he said are hindering the economy of ZanzibarContinue Reading
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
