Tanzania government, Tourism players agitate for public-private partnership in shaping future of industry

Tanzania government, Tourism players agitate for public-private partnership in shaping future of industry

Dar es Salaam. The government has underscored importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and community involvement in shaping the future of tourism in Tanzania.

Opening the tourism policy reform summit at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam today, Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Dr. Pindi Chana said there’s a need of a collaborative framework that highlights the significance of PPP and community participation.

Dubbed, ‘Blue & Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems’, has been organized by the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) in partnership Ministry of Natural Resources and EnviroSasa.

In her speech read by the Assistant Director of Tourism, Mr Phillip Chitaunga, Dr Chana said that collaboration is key, and pledged to explore how they could work together—government, tourism industry, and communities—to make this vision a reality.

“By aligning local, regional, and national priorities, we aim to create a tourism development model that is economically viable, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive” Dr Chana emphasized.

Over the two days, the tourism policy reform summit that attracted nearly 100 stakeholders from both public and private sectors, will be engaging in the Blue-Green Program, which focuses on sustainable coastal and hinterland tourism development.

“Our vision is clear, to develop a tourism industry that not only celebrates our rich natural landscapes—from the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean to the lush and biodiverse hinterlands—but also ensures that these resources are preserved for future generations” she added.

At the same time, Dr Chana said there’s a need to ensure that local communities benefit directly from the opportunities that tourism provides, creating livelihoods and strengthening resilience.

The cabinet Minister said that the Summit would also assess tourism resources at the district level, exploring the potential for both marine and terrestrial tourism in specific zones.

In the final session the Summit will be dedicated to developing strategic proposals that align with Vision 2050, the Heshimu Bahari goals, and the Pamoja Framework, she noted.

“Together, we will outline actionable steps for integrating marine and coastal conservation into tourism planning—ensuring that our infrastructure is eco-friendly and that our tourism sector adapts to the challenges posed by climate change” Dr Chana explained.

Chairman of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), Mr Moustafa Khataw, said the summit is a pivotal moment to develop actionable strategies for sustainable development across the ecosystems, emphasizing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social inclusivity.

Mr Khataw said that TCT, as the apex body of the Tanzania tourism private sector associations, remains committed to bridging government efforts and private sector ambitions.

“By endorsing the PAMOJA framework, we advocate for a bottom-up approach in policy and planning, emphasizing community-led initiatives at the district level” he noted.

The move, Mr Khataw said, aligns with TCT strategic partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and other key stakeholders.

“We are thrilled to advance dialogue on breaking traditional circuit-based tourism models, transitioning towards a more integrated travel route and regional approach” he noted

“I am confident that with collaborative effort and shared commitment, we can achieve the sustainable development goals laid out for Tanzania’s coast and hinterland” TCT Chief noted.

TCT Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lathifa Sykes said: “The ‘Blue & Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems’ event is set to be a pivotal moment in the transformation of Tanzania’s tourism industry, fostering collaboration, sustainability, and growth in alignment with the country’s long-term development goals”.

Attendees include representatives from the President’s Office, Planning Commission, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Coastal Region Heads, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC).

The summit lacked the presence of officials from National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and Occupational safety and health (OSH).

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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Chief Editor

Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease

Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.

President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.

“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”

A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.

“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.

WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.

“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”

Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.

“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”

Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.

In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.

Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.

Source: allafrica.com

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