Govt seeks investors in international hotels

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Speaking at a roundtable forum with members of the business community yesterday, the minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Prof Jumanne Maghembe said the government was giving preferential treatment to local inves

Dar es Salaam. The government has set aside over 800 square kilometers of beach plots for investors to build international hotels with facilities beyond 5-stars hotels.Speaking at a roundtable forum with members of the business community yesterday, the minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Prof Jumanne Maghembe said the government was giving preferential treatment to local investors in the plan to unlock marine tourism potentials.

“We have allocated over 800 square kilometres of land in coastal and other marine areas of lake zones for you to invest in building 5-stars hotel and beyond. Demand for such facilities is growing in marine parks,” said Prof Maghembe.

The government plans to raise the number of tourist arrivals by 50 per cent in two years from now.

“Our country has four pillars of tourism, including wildlife, Mount Kilimamjaro climbing, marine parks and cultural tourism. We have realized that marine tourism is lagging behind due to lack of enough international hotels in the beaches,” said Prof Maghembe.

The chairman of Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Mr Reginald Mengi said that through its Private Sector Anti-Poaching Initiative (PSAPI), the group has donated a special vehicle for monitoring movement of poachers.

“We are ready to discuss with the government regularly to assist in anti-poaching activities and promote tourism,” said the TPSF Chairman.