TOURISM SECTOR AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION IN TANZANIA

1. MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & TOURISM TOURISM SECTOR AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION IN TANZANIA Presenter: Mr. Z. A. Kimwaga, Director of Tourism 16th October, 2014

2. Outlined Issues • Introduction • Tourism products of Tanzania • Growth of Tourism in Tanzania • Policy Efforts to reduce negative impacts to the Environment from tourism and related business • Challenges • Future Plans • Key priority areas for 2014-2015 Financial year • Conclusion

3. Introduction • Tourism industry is a catalyst for the growth of other economic sectors such as transport, agriculture, art and crafts. • It has potential to increase number of jobs due to the interaction with multiple services and industries. • Globally, International tourist arrivals grew worldwide by 5% and international tourism receipts reached US$1159 billion in 2013 ( UNWTO 2014) • In Tanzania tourism is the leading sector for its contribution to the national economy through foreign currency earnings.

4. Tourism Products of Tanzania • Tanzania has a great treasure of unique resources for tourism such as Wildlife, natural forests, sea beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes, cultures and friendly people and beautiful tropical weather. • Tanzania is endowed with diverse attractions which are protected area, National parks, Game reserve, Wildlife controlled Area, Marine Parks, Various historical and Cultural areas and forest reserves. • The country has prioritized conservation by allocating more than 25% of its area of land as protected areas. • World Economic Forum ranks Tanzania among the top in the world with regard to richness in natural resources and its potential to attract tourists.

5. Tourism Development Zones of Tanzania For convenience of development of tourism, the country is divided in the following zones: • Northern Tourism Circuit: Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti , Tarangire , Lake Manyara and Arusha National parks . • Southern Tourism Circuit: Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi , Udzungwa Mountains, Ruaha , Katavi and Kitulo National Parks. • Western Tourism Circuit: Gombe and Mahale National Parks, Lake Tanganyika and various historical centers especially those in the old slave and ivory trade routes. • Coastal Zone: Stretch of about 804 kms of beach from Tanga to Mtwara. • Islands and Water Resources: Island of Zanzibar and Pemba and Marine parks of Mafia Island and Mnazi Bay. • World Heritage sites: Ngorongoro conservation Area, Serengeti national Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Caves of Kondoa, Historical sites of Kilwa Kisiwani, Songo Mnara and Zanzibar stone town. • Culture and Traditions: Tanzania is having more than 120 tribes each with unique culture manifested through traditions, customs and history.

6. Growth of Tourism in Tanzania • Tourism industry contribute more than 17% of Gross Domestic Product. • 25% of the revenue generated by total exports • Tourism is a leading in number of investment projects (209 projects in 2012) • Tourism contribute more than 11% of the total employment in 2013. • Between 2013 to 2014 revenues increased from USD 746 million up to USD 1,853 million in the same period due to increase in number of Tourist. • Companies doing business in tourism related activities increased from 4 in 1962 to reach 1,057 by June 2014.

7. Table 1: International Tourism Business Trends in Tanzania 2004-2013

8. Policy efforts to reduce negative impacts to the Environment from tourism and related business • Policy developments : The National Tourism Policy(1999); National Wildlife Policy (2007), National Forests Policy (1998) and National Environment Policy (1997). • Conservation and Tourism related programs: Wildlife Management Areas(WMA’s), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Benefit Sharing system, Cultural Tourism Programme, TANAPA Outreach Programme.

9. Challenges • Over reliance on traditional sources markets • Over reliance on international visitors • Inadequate skills and human capacity to serve the tourism industry • Scarcity of finances for tourism development and marketing • High reliance on nature based tourism • Weak inter sectoral relations • Lack of national Air carrier • Limited airport infrastructure • Lack of land specific for tourism Investment • Limited involvement of Local Authorities in tourism development • Over utilization of natural resources and wildlife poaching

10. Future Plans • Improve the quality of service and infrastructure • Product development and quality assurance • Developing Human Resources • Improve promotion and marketing • Improve statistical information • Enhance sectoral linkages/ cross- cutting issues ( ministry of Land, Housing and Human settlements, ministry of infrastructure, ministry of home Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Youth Development, communication and transport, regional Administration and local Government, Tanzania Investment centre and National environmental management council)

11. KEY PRIORITY AREAS FOR 2014-2015 FINANCIAL YEAR • Review and update of the 1999 National Tourism Policy and its implementation strategies • Grading and classification of accommodation facilities in Arusha, Mwanza and Mara. • Expand tourism products through identification of potential tourist attractions and assist in improving the quality for the existing products. • Increased promotion of tourism products and services both for domestic and international markets through local events and united National World Tourism Organization organized events.

12. Conclusion It is a matter of pride for us that despite having various challenges in the tourism sector, many visitors are still satisfied with what they see and the service they receive . It is important that we value and protect the natural and cultural resources that we are blessed with and play a big role in sustaining the wellbeing of the communities. Our motto is to strive to offer better services to our clients.

13. Tel.: +255 22 286 4271 Email: dt@mnrt.go.tz Website: www.mnrt.go.tz Thank you for your attention 27- April - 2009