Arusha. Tanzania, Cabo Verde, Morocco, and Kenya have emerged as the top performers in tourism arrivals, recording significant growth in the first seven months of 2024, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Overall, Africa saw a seven percent increase in tourist arrivals between January and July 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. Among East African nations, Tanzania and Kenya stand out, with Tanzania leading the way with an impressive 49 percent increase in tourism traffic. Cabo Verde followed with a 34 percent rise, Morocco at 32 percent, and Kenya reported a 10 percent increase.
All four countries surpassed their 2019 tourism figures in the early months of 2024, as detailed in the UNWTO’s September 2024 World Tourism Barometer report. This reflects a gradual recovery in the post-pandemic travel landscape across the continent.
The UNWTO report comes at a time when official figures show that Tanzania was 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.
While there is an overall recovery in African tourism, data indicates that Northern Africa is experiencing the strongest rebound, with a 21 percent increase in international arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels. This growth surpasses that of Central America, which recorded a 19 percent increase, as well as the Caribbean and Southern and Mediterranean Europe, both at 9 percent.
An estimated 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, marking an 11 percent increase from 2023, though still 4 percent below the levels seen in 2019. Despite these positive trends, experts at the gathering in Arusha voiced concerns regarding the reliability of tourism data from many Sub-Saharan African countries, suggesting that inflated figures may hinder a true understanding of tourism performance.
The UNWTO attributes the strong demand for travel to factors such as increased air connectivity, visa facilitation, and a recovering Asia-Pacific tourism market. The Middle East emerged as the fastest-growing region, with international arrivals climbing 26 percent above 2019 levels.
In Europe and the Americas, tourism figures reached 96 percent and 97 percent of pre-pandemic levels, respectively, while the Asia-Pacific region recorded 82 percent of its 2019 arrivals.
Revised data for 2023 revealed that export revenues from international tourism amounted to USD 1.8 trillion, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the direct GDP contribution from tourism reached approximately USD 3.4 trillion, accounting for 3 percent of global GDP.
Looking ahead, the UN Tourism Confidence Index reflects optimistic expectations for the remainder of 2024, currently at 120 points for September to December. However, this is a slight decrease from the 130 points recorded for the May to August period.
Tourism experts highlighted inflation as a key challenge, noting rising transport and accommodation costs that may impact the sector’s growth moving forward.
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Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
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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
