Sub-Saharan Africa
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Rapid Growth Recorded in Tanzania's Tourism Sector as Economy Gains Momentum

© AP Photo / Mosa'ab ElshamyIn this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, tourists on safari take photos and observe wildlife in Serengeti National Park, west of Arusha, northern Tanzania.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, tourists on safari take photos and observe wildlife in Serengeti National Park, west of Arusha, northern Tanzania.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 08.01.2024
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Following the global imposition of strict travel restrictions after the outbreak of Covid-19, the country's travel receipts plummeted to $1 billion in 2020, with tourist arrivals dropping to 616,490. However, the industry has since made a remarkable recovery, in line with official forecasts.
In the wake of a steady economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic that hit the global economy over the past few years, the tourism sector in Tanzania has experienced swift growth last year in both revenue and visitor numbers.
Tourism receipts surged by 37.5% to $3.3 billion in the 12 months leading up to November 2023, while tourist arrivals rose by 27% to 1.797 million, according to the Bank of Tanzania’s monthly economic review for December 2023.
The report attributes the increase in travel receipts to the recovery of the tourism sector, as evidenced by the significant increase in tourist arrivals. To put this in perspective, before the coronavirus pandemic, Tanzania earned $2.526 billion in tourism receipts in 2019, with 1,527,230 tourists visiting the country.
Presently, tourism stands as Tanzania's leading foreign exchange earner, outpacing gold, which generated $3 billion in revenue in the year up to November 2023, up from $2.8 billion the previous year.
A woman waves a Kenyan flag during the 60th Jamhuri Day Celebrations (Independence Day) at Uhuru gardens Stadium in Nairobi, Monday, Dec. 12, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 06.01.2024
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Looking ahead, the government has set ambitious targets of attaining at least 5 million tourist arrivals and $6 billion in receipts by 2025. Tourism stakeholders express optimism for the industry's future, emphasizing the need for strategic measures from both the government and the private sector to fully realize Tanzania’s tourism potential in the coming years.
Kennedy Edward, the chief executive of the Hotel Association of Tanzania (HAT), expressed confidence in the industry’s future prospects, noting a shift in the spending habits of Tanzanians, who are increasingly exploring local attractions.

"The current situation augurs well for tourism. The future looks promising," Hotel Association of Tanzania (HAT) chief executive Kennedy Edward told The Citizen. "This shift of culture is very good for tourism. Population growth also means that disposable incomes are increasing and there is growing awareness among Tanzanians."

Furthermore, Mr. Edward expressed optimism that ongoing tourism marketing campaigns and other strategic initiatives to position Tanzania as a prime tourist destination will attract even more visitors in the future.
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