Tanzania’s Tourism Summit Unveils Bold Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Development

By Adonis Byemelwa

Arusha –The recently concluded Blue and Green Tourism Summit outlined five key strategies aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development in Tanzania’s coastal and hinterland ecosystems.

Organized by the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) and EnviroSasa, the summit brought together nearly 100 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to discuss the future of the country’s tourism industry.

The summit emphasized the need for a thorough study to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) facing the tourism sector. This analysis, which was informed by feedback from the summit’s participants, will serve as a guide to evaluate the current state of the industry and help shape future policies and planning.

In addition to the SWOT analysis, one of the summit’s key resolutions was the creation of a detailed inventory of Tanzania’s tourism assets.
This will cover coastal, island, and hinterland zones, allowing district-level stakeholders to identify key ecological zones, infrastructure, and services. The goal is to generate a categorized resource survey that will facilitate investment promotion and more strategic planning within the tourism sector.

The summit also endorsed the creation of a structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, known as PAMOJA, to be incorporated into the country’s tourism policy. The framework aims to improve coordination and address longstanding issues within the industry, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Furthermore, the summit called for strengthening the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania’s (TCT) role in tourism management. The TCT will undergo restructuring to improve communication and its influence on policy implementation.

The Confederation will also oversee destination management organizations and facilitate regular meetings to ensure that tourism policies are being executed effectively.

Another significant recommendation was the establishment of an ombudsman’s office. This independent body would serve as a neutral party to resolve administrative challenges, disputes, and corruption issues, benefiting both government and private sector stakeholders.
TCT CEO, Ms. Lathifa Sykes, emphasized the importance of the ombudsman in promoting compliance and resolving conflicts within the tourism sector.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Edwin Mhede, emphasized the importance of cross-level collaboration for effective ecosystem management and tourism development. He stressed that disciplined execution of the summit’s resolutions is critical to unlocking the tourism sector’s full potential.

The outcomes of the summit align with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which seeks to achieve long-term economic growth through inclusive tourism development that supports conservation and empowers local communities. Ms. Sykes emphasized the vital role of local communities in preserving the country's natural and cultural heritage, positioning them as key players and beneficiaries in both tourism and conservation efforts.

Despite its vast offshore resources and a coastline stretching over 1,424 kilometers along the Indian Ocean, Tanzania currently lacks cohesive development strategies, transparent policies, and structured management in the tourism sector. The resolutions from the summit are designed to address these gaps and create a more sustainable and inclusive approach to tourism development.

During the summit, there were also productive discussions between tourism operators, the government task force, and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). The Tanzania Hunting Operators Association (Tahoa) engaged in a lengthy discussion with the Ministry of Finance’s Tax Force, expressing concerns about the negative impact of VAT on the hunting industry.

Tahoa Chairman, Mr. Michel Mantheakis, expressed satisfaction with the nearly three-hour conversation, highlighting the importance of addressing these tax challenges to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

The summit also facilitated engagement between the TRA and hotels based in Dar es Salaam, where both parties discussed the service levies imposed by local authorities. Flightlink’s Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Sakina Mussa, praised the summit for fostering constructive dialogue between tourism businesses and the TRA.

She noted that the TRA’s willingness to listen to the concerns of businesses, including discussions on tax penalties and returns, was a step in the right direction.

TRA officials assured summit participants of their openness to requests for waivers on penalties and emphasized their ongoing efforts to develop an integrated system for tax returns.

TRA Auditing Manager, Mr. Robert Mhanzi, also praised the summit as an ideal platform for gaining insights into investor priorities within the tourism industry.

“Our mission is to connect with our customers, listen to their concerns, and assess their feedback as part of a strategy to foster long-term partnerships with key players in tourism and hospitality,” said Mr. Mhanzi.

Behold, the Blue and Green Tourism Summit served as a crucial platform for open dialogue and problem-solving within Tanzania’s tourism sector. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the summit helped to foster stronger collaboration and smoother compliance in the industry, setting the stage for a more sustainable and inclusive future for Tanzanian tourism.

The summit’s resolutions are expected to address key challenges in the sector and contribute to the overall goal of creating a more vibrant, economically viable, and eco-friendly tourism industry in Tanzania.