Poor promotion: Only five TZ reserves generate profit

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has 16 national reserves, but only five of them generate profit, it has been revealed.

The five reserves also provide money for the others whose attractions do not bring in enough money.

The other national reserves hardly receive enough tourists because of a myriad reasons, which include wanting promotion.

The ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources permanent secretary, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said this when speaking to stakeholders in the private sector who are involved in tourism through the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT).

Prof Mkenda said Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Arusha reserves are the only ones operating profitably and pay dividend to the government at the same time providing money for reserves, which are not profitable.

He noted that despite having 16 national reserves, the country would only attract 1.3 million tourists annually.

He called for a concerted efforts to promote the country’s attractions, something which will help increase the number of visitors.

“President Magufuli has expressed his concern over contribution of tourism in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). He asked me to devise ways of increasing the number of tourists and that’s why I have called you today for a brainstorming session,” he said.

He also touched on complaints that Kenyans were taking a majority of top employment positions and emphasized that the criticisms showed Tanzania’s weakness.

He noted that complaints cannot be helpful without apt action against the trend.

Prof Mkenda added that the private sector needs to work together with the government to produce skilled youth who can compete with their regional counterparts.

For his part, TCT chairman, Abdulkadir Mohamed said the stakeholders in tourism were ready to cooperate with the government to ensure that the sector improves and benefits the country.