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For the first time ever,
American visitors represent the largest
single tourism market for Tanzania,
attracting a record high of 58,379 in 2007.
Taking over from the traditional place held
by the UK market, the number is even greater
when the US is combined with Canada (North
America), 83,930 in 2007. Supporting this
growth of tourism from North America to
mainland Tanzania and the spice islands of
Zanzibar, is the fact that the number of
American and Canadian tour operators
offering Tanzania as a stand-alone
destination has also soared.
“The jump in US and Canadian visitors can
be attributed to several factors,” said
Hon. Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga, Minister
of Natural Resources and Tourism for the
United Republic of Tanzania. “One is
Tanzania’s aggressive promotion,
particularly in the past year.
Significantly, so successful have these
efforts been that Tourism now exceeds
Agriculture as Tanzania’s leading economic
sector. A total of 750,000 tourists in all
are expected in Tanzania this year. They are
predicted to bring in revenue of about $950
million dollars. Second, but of major
importance for tourists, is the fact that
Tanzania is a peaceful and stable country,
with a democratically elected government,
strong ties with the US and warm friendly
people.”
Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director,
Tanzania Tourist Board, added, “we are
confident that this trend will continue as
we begin to see the results of our first
ever TV Broadcast campaign, launched in
September 2007, on CNN USA.” The campaign,
Tanzania – Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and
the Serengeti” appeared on CNN, CNN Headline
News, CNN Airports and CNN.com. It
culminated in a Tanzania Sweepstakes on
CNN.com in March which resulted in 39,000
plus entries.
Simultaneous to the TV Campaign targeting
the American travelers, TTB launched a
Tanzania Travel Agent Specialist program
through Travel Agent University. More than
500 travel agents completed the course
earning certificates qualifying them as
Tanzania Specialists.
“In order to ensure the quality of the
tourism experience, and continue this
fast-paced growth,” said TTB Director of
Marketing, Amant Macha, “Tanzania has
facilitated increased air access, built new
hotels expanding the number of luxury
properties on the Mainland and in Zanzibar
and improved infrastructure and tarmac roads
on safari circuits. We are also diversifying
our product, putting greater emphasis on the
Southern Circuit, where we have Ruaha
National Park, the largest in Africa, and
the Selous Game Reserve, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.”
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