The discussions centre on what is needed in tourism regulatory reforms, tax policies and widening investment opportunities in tourism (Photo: Patty Magubira)
The growing importance of public private partnerships in promoting the tourism industry in Tanzania was the highlight of the Tourism Policy Reform Summit, that began in Tanzanian capital Dar es Salam on Thursday.
The meeting, said to be the first of its kind in the country and in east Africa, was organised by Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) in collaboration with the Tanzanian government, notably the Natural Resources and Tourism ministry.
Lathifa Sykes
Addressing a press conference, Lathifa Sykes, Chief Executive Officer, TCT said that the summit’s Blue and Green: Making the most of Tanzania’s coast and hinterland ecosystems, promises to be a major step in shaping the future of sustainable tourism, aligning with the envisaged Vision 2050 development goals.
The conference provides a platform to public and private sector institutions and entities to discuss strategies for enhancing the tourism industry while ensuring sustainability, environmental protection and socio-economic growth are at the heart of the discussion, Sykes said.
“With the country’s rich natural landscapes like the coastal areas and hinterlands, the event focusses on exploring sustainable approaches to tourism development that can both preserve the environment and drive economic growth,” she added.
A broad spectrum of government entities are involved, in a collaborative approach to shaping the future of tourism in the country, she said, listing the sector ministry, the Treasury, the revenue authority and investment centre among other key stakeholders.
The discussions centre on what is needed in tourism regulatory reforms, tax policies and widening investment opportunities in tourism, she stated.
Sykes sais that in partnership with Environment Now and the University of Dar es Salaam, the tourism ministry is expected to oversee an ESG course for tourism sector officials, setting a new standard for sustainable tourism operations across Tanzania.
As professional standards for tourism guides need to address the critical shortage of skilled guides, so the ministry is facilitating a collaboration with the Field Guides Association of East Africa (FGAEA), the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM) at Mweka in Kilimanjaro Region, and the National College of Tourism (NCT), Sykes stated.
This initiative seeks to elevate certification standards and better equip guides to meet local and international demand, ensuring higher-quality tourism experience, she said.
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