Tanzania starts the year with optimistic tourism prospects

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has started 2024 with a notable surge in tourist arrivals, raising expectations for a continued industry upswing after full recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic’s woes.

The expectations are anchored on the arrival on Tuesday January 16 at the Dar es Salaam port of a ship carrying 2,340 passengers and more than 1,100 crew members. Additionally, a direct chartered flight bringing in 250 tourists from the US is expected to land in Tanzania next month.

Tourism is currently Tanzania’s leading foreign exchange earner after revenue increased by 37.5 percent to $3.3 billion in the 12 months ending November 2023. In the year under review, tourist arrivals rose by 27 percent to 1.797 million, according to Bank of Tanzania statistics.

Read: Tourism tops gold in foreign exchange

Travel is followed by gold, which brought in $3 billion in the year to November 2023, up from $2.8 billion earned the previous year.

 Large cruise ship docks

The tourists would explore Dar es Salaam's attractions, visit the historical town of Bagamoyo and the Selous Game Reserve, among others.

Dar es Salaam port director, Mr Mrisho Mrisho, attributed the ship's arrival to improvements, efficiency, and enhanced security protocols at the port. He added that after Dar es Salam, the Norwegian Dawn would depart for Mozambique.

“We expect many more ships of this size to come to the country. This underscores the positive economic impact and developments,” he said.

 US visitors coming

In addition to the cruise ship, a direct flight from New York is expected to arrive in Tanzania on February 20, carrying 250 tourists.

The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) managing director, Mr Damas Mfugale, said visits of such magnitude are a game changer in the tourism industry.

“The arrival of visitors in such large groups means the sector will make remarkable progress this year. Operators need to improve services in their areas to give visitors a different experience and make them come back again,” he said.

“This is just a start. We expect to receive at least one ship like this monthly, and we also expect they will be staying for up to three days,” added Mr Mfugale.

On the US flight, he said it is scheduled to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

The US is among the top sources of tourists visiting Tanzania.

Commenting on the direct flight, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) managing director, Mr Ladislaus Matindi, said that it will benefit the airline because it will connect tourists to other local destinations.

“We applaud this positive step in enhancing the tourism sector and anticipate substantial benefits from the arrival of the flight,” he said.

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) chief executive officer, Mr Sirili Akko, said the flight is a welcome move.

“It will not only boost the number of tourists visiting our country but also encourage investment and people-to-people cooperation with Americans,” he said.

He said many tourists from the US visit Tanzania through connecting flights, adding that the direct flight reduces travel costs.

“Tourists who have advanced in age do not like to travel for a long time. They like to relax, so they prefer direct flights,” he said.

Jackpot Safar Tours chief executive officer, Mr Andrew Malalika, highlighted the significance of the introduction of direct flights between Tanzania and the US to attract more visitors.

“The start of direct chartered flights is a major advancement that is expected to draw more tourists, particularly those with limited vacation time," he said.

According to him, the development can positively impact the tourism industry by catering to diverse traveller preferences and enhancing the overall tourism experience in Tanzania.