DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 3 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA has achieved a significant milestone in the tourism sector by welcoming 5.3 million tourists last year, surpassing its ambitious target of 5 million tourists by 2025.
According to Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Ambassador Dr Pindi Chana, the number of international visitors recorded last year was 2,141,895 while domestic tourists were 3,218,352.
She said the revenue earned from the tourists was 3.9 billion US dollars compared to 3.3 billion US dollars earned from 3.9 million tourists recorded in 2023.
Tanzania seeks to achieve the target of notching an income of 6 billion US dollars (about 14tri/-) from 5 million tourists by this year as stipulated in the Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III of 2020/2021 to 2025/2026) and the ruling party CCM Election Manifesto of 2020- 2025.
Speaking during an event to celebrate the success of the tourism sector held in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Dr Chana commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment, which has made the milestone possible.
“Through her efforts Tanzania has gained greater recognition on the global tourism map and we continue to witness the results of this progress every day,” said Dr Chana. Dr Chana further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the tourism sector.
She said the ministry will continue with its efforts to promote the sector and strengthen it to drive significant development within the industry and enhance its contribution to national development.
She also said that her docket will also continue collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that the sector continues to grow and ensure the country remains a top global destination.
“The ministry remains committed to elevating Tanzania’s tourism sector to even greater heights, ensuring it competes effectively on the international stage.
The government will continue working closely with stakeholders to enhance services, improve infrastructure and expand tourism markets, ensuring Tanzania remains a top global travel destination,” she said.
On his part, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Tourism, Timotheo Mnzava, commended the government for its strong political will in advancing the tourism sector.
He noted that while the sector has significantly contributed to the country’s revenue, more efforts are needed to further strengthen revenue collection. “Reaching our tourism targets is a huge accomplishment, but we still have work to do in terms of revenue.
We are currently at 4 billion US dollars, with a goal of reaching 6 billion US dollars,” he said. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hassan Abbasi, said the ministry’s strategic plan is set to meet and exceed the 6 billion US dollars revenue target by December 2025.
The event was attended by key government officials, representatives from the tourism industry and private sector stakeholders. According to target indicators for the tourism sector, by 2025/26, real growth rate is projected to rise from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.
The plan envisages an average number of nights to be spent by a tourist to go up from 13 to 14, while average expenditure per tourist per day (non-package/ package) (US) will increase from the current 216/379 to 326/455 in 2025/26.
The sector is envisaged to employ a total of 1,750,000 from the current 1,500,000, the share of foreign exchange earnings in percentage will rise to 27 from the current 25. He noted that Serengeti national park which for the five consecutive years has been emerging as Africa’s leading national park, was recording a good number of tourists and adding up funds in the state coffers. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
