TRAVEL: Far East travel agents to bring in more visitors

TTB Board chairman, retired Judge Thomas Mihayo addresses travel agents at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. photo|ELisha mayallah.

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They promised to do so at the end of their tour in the country last week, having been impressed by various attractions

Tanzania has set its sights on emerging markets as it seeks to grow tourist numbers to 2 million arrivals by 2020.

“The emerging markets remain a crucial market through which Tanzania continues to grow its tourism arrival figures,” said retired Judge Thomas Mihayo, The board chairman of Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB).

Judge Mihayo said this when he met travel agents from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines on departure at the Kilimanjaro International Airport last weekend.

The TTB board chairman said Tanzania is among African countries that are likely to benefit most from an increased number of tourists from China.

Judge Mihayo said China’s rising income levels could also lead to a rise in tourism in Africa. In 2017, 130 million Chinese tourists toured the world, while Africa received only 29,000 Chinese tourists.

The recent relaxation of visa rules for Chinese tourists and an increase in direct flights between China and Africa will support further increases in tourism.

China is an important market for Tanzania and TTB has lined up marketing initiatives, whereby 10,000 Chinese tourists are set to visit Tanzania this year. To begin with, from May 12 to 16, 2019, a group of more than 300 Chinese tourists will be visiting Tanzania, according to TTB’s managing director, Ms Devota Mdachi.

China ranks among Tanzania’s top five emerging markets from the Asian continent and is considered among the fastest growing outbound tourism travel markets.

Twenty travel trade partners from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines recently visited Arusha City, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National park and the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro at Machame gates, to woo holiday and business travellers to Tanzania.

The travel agents commended the TTB and other stakeholders who took part in hosting them.

Trie Budiningsih from Indonesia said she was happy to see different species of wildlife including the Big Five. On Ngorongoro tour, she said the Crater is amazing and she took many pictures and shared on her social media platforms. During the Maasai Boma visit, she was amazed by the lifestyle of the Maasai community who share their life with wildlife.

Cesak Cruz from the Philippines said he had a lifetime experience in Africa’s famous wildlife parks during their visit to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Parks. Sighting of wildlife species such as zebras, buffalos, lions, leopards and giraffes amazed most of them, he said. They also enjoyed local food and accommodation including the service offered by the tour guides, all which made their safari unforgettable.

A travel agent from Philippines, Mr Charleton Royce said they are going home to start working on safari holiday packages for Tanzania. He, however, called for improved food services.

He said although the portions were too small, the flavour of Tanzanian rice was great. He is hoping to come back soon with his first group to Tanzania to interact with the friendly people that he found during his visit.

Tanzanian tourism and hospitality industry players have attributed the growth to improved airline connection, including the revival of Air Tanzania to service the growing number of international tourists.

The consistent marketing engagements done by the state marketing agency, TTB as well as conservation agencies, Tanzania National Parks, (TANAPA) and Ngorongoro and the private sector, TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) have all along been interesting many prospecting visitors to Tanzania.

According to TTB’s Ms Mdachi, there is a significant increase in the number of international holidaymakers, thanks to increased participation of the Tanzanian embassies abroad.