First batch of Chinese tourists due in May
ATCL sales and distribution manager Edward Nkwabi (right) and Touchroad International Holdings Group chairman He Liehui sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Dar es Salaam yesterday for implementing an earlier agreement between Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and Touchroad. Looking are TTB board chairman Judge Thomas Mihayo (right) and Zhejiang Province Department of Culture and Tourism Inspector Fu Wei. PHOTO | ERICKY BONIPHACE
Dar es Salaam. The implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and Touchroad International Holdings Group, has started with the first batch of Chinese visitors expected in the country in May.
Last December, TTB signed theMoU with Touchroad International Holdings Group (Touchroad Group) of China, under which the latter was to market Tanzania’s tourist attractions to China and bring to Tanzania at least 10,000 Chinese tourists in 2019.
TTB board chairman Judge Thomas Mihayo told journalists this in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
He said that the first batch of 312 tourists, which is expected in the country in May, will compriseChinese celebrities, journalists, tour operators, investors and business personnels.
He was speaking during an event to welcome a delegation of seven Touchroad officials, led by Mr Fu Wei, who also serves as the inspector of Zhejiang provincial department of culture and tourism of China.
“The Touchroad chairman, Mr He Liehu, came to Tanzania first in January with a delegation of 35 people where, among other things, launched a campaign known as ‘Tour Africa, New Horizon’ which is geared at bringing tourists to Africa,” he said.
He said the campaign will be carried out in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Djibouti.
“On March 8, Mr Liehu was once again in the countrywith seven people. While here, they will visit and inspect all the tourist attractions that the first group of 312 tourists will go to,” he said.
He said, so far, they have been in Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro national parks.
A total of 30 investors will also be in the first group of tourists, said Judge Mihayo, calling upon members of the business community to grab the chance.
According to Mr Wei, the Touchroad company has plans to bring in 262 tourists every week from May to December 2019 in order toreach the goal of 10, 000 tourists as agreed their MoU with TTB.
Meanwhile, Touchroad Group has signed another MoU with Air Tanzania Company Ltd that will see the latter availing its aircraft in transporting the tourists when they start exploring different tourist attractions in the country.
