TZ, China plan to improve tourism

Permanent Secretary of Natural Resource and Tourism, General (rtd) Gaudence Milanzi


What you need to know:

  • Speaking during a forum on enhancing wildlife conservation and tourism development, which involved China and Tanzania officials, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary of Natural Resource and Tourism, General (rtd) Gaudence Milanzi said the government looks at the East Asian nation as an important partner in advancing sustainability dimensions of its tourism sector.

Dar es Salaam. The prospects are looking good for tourism as Tanzania and China plan to jointly develop a strategy, which will help in tackling challenges facing the former and boost the sector, a senior government official has said.

Speaking during a forum on enhancing wildlife conservation and tourism development, which involved China and Tanzania officials, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary of Natural Resource and Tourism, General (rtd) Gaudence Milanzi said the government looks at the East Asian nation as an important partner in advancing sustainability dimensions of its tourism sector.

“We are aware of the illegal trade. Trafficking of wildlife products is a complex crime to stop because it involves complex poaching networks. Increased consumer demand, poverty and insufficient law enforcement also mitigates efforts to curb it,” he said.

He said the government was collaborating with the international community through the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) and Interpol to put up measures in curbing poaching.

Some of the measures being taken locally include, the Multi-Agency Task Team (MATT), which deals with environmental crimes, establishment of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and recruitment and deployment of more rangers.

He congratulated the Chinese government on its December 31, 2017 decision to illegalise all trade in ivory and ivory products in the country.

Like other wildlife campaigners, Mr Milanzi also believes that by doing so, China will be contributing positively to the efforts to protect the world’s elephant population.