Morogoro. Kukua kwa sekta ya utalii Zanzibar, imekuwa neema kwa Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mikumi baada ya kuongezeka kwa idadi kubwa ya watalii katika hifadhi hiyo iliyopo Kusini mwa Tanzania.
Hiyo imebainika baada ya watalii wengi wa kimataifa wanaotembelea Mikumi iliyoko mkoani Morogoro, kutokea visiwani humo.
Watalii hao ambao hufika kutembelea Visiwa vya Zanzibar, huunganisha safari zao na kwenda moja kwa moja kwa usafiri wa ndege ndani ya hifadhi hiyo.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari wanaotembelea hifadhi hiyo leo Mei 17, 2024, Ofisa Uhifadhi daraja la pili, Fatuma Mcharazo amesema kwa miezi 10 kutoka Julai 2023 hadi Aprili mwaka huu, wamepokea watalii 111,564 kati yao wageni wa nje ni 59,840 na Watanzania ni 51,724.
“Hii ni tofauti na miaka ya nyuma, tulikuwa tunapokea watalii wengi wa ndani na wa nje wakiwa wachache, mfano mwaka 2020/2021 tulipokea watalii 46,517, raia wa kigeni wakiwa 15,104 pekee na mwaka 2021/2022 tulipokea watalii 66,890 huku wageni wakiwa 23,300 na mwaka 2022/ 2023 tulipata 109,112, ambapo watalii kutoka nje walikuwa 50,133,” amesema Fatuma.
“Kukua kwa utalii wa Zanzibar kumesaidia sana kusukuma maendeleo ya utalii katika hifadhi yetu, wengi wanaotembelea hapa wanatokea Zanzibar na hutua hapa kwa ndege na baada ya kumaliza shughuli zao hurudi Zanzibar,” amesema Fatuma.
Amesema miongoni mwa vitu vinavyowavutia watalii hao ni uwezo wa kuzunguka kufanya utalii katika mbuga hiyo yenye ukubwa wa Kilomita 3,230 kwa siku moja pekee na kuimaliza, huku wakiwa wameshuhudia wanyama wote muhimu.
Amesema katika kuhakikisha wageni hao wanavutiwa zaidi kubaki hifadhini wanaanza mikakati ya kuongeza miundombinu ya malazi kutoka kulaza watalii 300 iliyopo sasa hadi kufikia watalii 600 kwa wakati mmoja.
“Mbali na hilo tunahakikisha uwanja wetu wa ndege wa Kikoboga unamalizika haraka ili kuweza kupokea ndege kubwa zaidi yenye uwezo wa kubeba hadi abiria 50 tofauti na sasa zinazotua ni za abiria 12,” amesema.
Mmoja wa waongoza watalii katika hifadhi hiyo, Joseph Chuwa ameiomba Serikali kusimamia kazi ya ujenzi wa uwanja wa Ndege Kikoboga ili ukamilike kwa haraka.
“Uwanja uliopo sasa ni mdogo, Serikali ingefanya mpango wa kuharakisha huu uwanja mkubwa wa ndege ulioanza kujengwa mwaka jana chini ya mradi wa Regrow,” amesema Chuwa.
Source: mwananchi.co.tz
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
British Investor’s $1.6 billion real estate project in Zanzibar lies in limbo
The revocation of British developer Pennyroyal’s leasehold for the construction of Blue Amber Resort by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has sent shock waves in the nascent property market on the Isles.Continue Reading
Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 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
Tanzania central bank tells hotels to obtain foreign currency exchange license
BoT governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, urges tourist hotel owners and operators to obtain foreign currency exchange licences to combat the black market.Continue Reading
