DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 12 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — As influential leaders and experts in tourism prepare to gather in Dar es Salaam this month, the spotlight will be on a transformative agenda: unlocking the potential of Tanzania’s blue and green economies.
The summit, organised by the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and EnviroSasa, aims to reduce non-tariff barriers and unlock untapped tourism potential along the country’s coastal belt.
Titled “Blue and Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems,” the event is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Dar es Salaam.
Its primary objective is to harness opportunities within Tanzania’s maritime resources and terrestrial ecosystems.
According to TCT CEO, Lathifa Sykes, the summit will stimulate critical dialogue, action and partnerships that are essential for fostering sustainable growth in Tanzania’s tourism sector.
The event will focus on both marine (Blue) and terrestrial (Green) conservation efforts. The summit, themed “Sustainable Policy and Investment Directions for Marine and Terrestrial,” will host a select group of 100 participants to ensure a focused and impactful exchange of ideas.
High-ranking technocrats from key government departments including the President’s Office, Planning Commission, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Finance, Tanzania Revenue Authority and the Tanzania Investment Centre—will join regional leaders in the discussions.
A major highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of the Pamoja Tourism Development Framework. The framework, developed by MNRT, is designed to revolutionise tourism across Tanzania’s coastal and southern circuits.
Titled “Charting the Future of Sustainable Tourism,” it offers a strategic vision for growth, emphasising sustainable tourism and the importance of community involvement.
Participants will engage in a “Pamoja Policy Deep Dive” session, where they will address challenges and opportunities for advancing sustainable tourism policies.
Sykes emphasised that the session will focus on generating investment, enhancing tourism networks and implementing fiscal and regulatory reforms to attract private sector involvement.
Another key objective of the summit is to address policy gaps in marine biodiversity conservation.
“Our goal is to establish policies and action plans that increase community and private sector participation in marine conservation and biodiversity protection,” she explained.
The summit will also feature a paper presentation on “Blueprint for Growth: Mapping Tourism Development Strategies for Tanzania.”
Additionally, a session using the “Applied Decision Matrix Methodology” will guide participants in crafting actionable strategies to capitalise on tourism potential in both coastal and hinterland regions.
Discussions will delve into sustainable tourism strategies for Tanzania’s marine areas, reinforcing the summit’s role as a catalyst for long-term ecological advancement in the tourism sector.
Sykes highlighted that the agenda will cover marine conservation, sustainable tourism practices, investment opportunities and infrastructure development, particularly in coastal regions.
On the terrestrial front, the focus will be on eco-tourism, cultural tourism and the conservation of Tanzania’s hinterland ecosystems. Key presentations include “Partnerships in Action: Realising the Promise of PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPP) in Tourism,” which will explore successful PPP models that support sustainable tourism infrastructure, policy and management.
Another key session, “From Vision to Action: Bridging Policy and Practice in Tourism Management,” will tackle infrastructural, environmental and financial challenges in tourism management.
The summit will also address the topic “Charting Sustainable Paths: Blue Tourism and Coastal Resilience,” which aims to enhance coastal resilience through innovative policies and blue tourism strategies.
Additionally, “Community at the Core: Integrating Local Engagement for Sustainable Tourism” will examine the role of local communities in shaping sustainable tourism initiatives and discuss the importance of supportive policy and operational frameworks.
A significant portion of the summit will focus on environmental sustainability, with discussions around plastic waste in Tanzania.
Sykes noted that a key agenda item will be exploring policy measures for a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics, along with strategies to promote recycling and recovery initiatives. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
