Africa-Press – Tanzania. The third National Five-Year Development Plan, flagged off this month, has been greeted by mixed reactions by a section of players in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Weighing in on the plan which was recently launched by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, some of the players were confident that Tanzania would further cement its status on the tourism front if the plan was anything to go by.
The Chairperson of Northern Tanzania Safari Guides Society, EngelbertAloyce said the plan would steer the lucrative industry to greater heights.
“Besides depending on wildlife tourism, the plan has emphasized on the need of diversifying other products such as beach and ecotourism which is something worth noting,” he said.
MrAloyce was further optimistic that the envisioned five million tourist target by 2025 was achievable.
Among other things, the third FYDP aspires to promote new tourism products development and diversification for sustainable growth and promote the southern tourist circuit as an alternative to other circuits through the REGROW initiative.
Tourism accounts for more than 17 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 25 per cent of foreign earnings.
The sector possesses significant potential to contribute to the national economy and foreign receipts on account of the unique natural attractions present in the country relative to elsewhere on the continent.
The tourist attractions present in the country include national parks and game reserves, plants, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and coastal areas.
To promote sector competitiveness and linkages, the FYDP III is prioritising the development and implementation of clear tourism legal and regulatory frameworks and strengthening public-private dialogue and collaboration.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of Tanzania Air Operators’ Association (TAOA) Lathifa Sykes suggested that the plan needed to fully incorporate a Covid- 19 recovery plan.
Ms Sykes further added that the sector was currently grappling with a multiplicity of taxes, much to the frustration of the operators.
“We are dying right now with Multiplicity of Taxes,” she said.
She described tourism as a strategic industry that guarantees the country of foreign exchange.
“We should consider reducing the burden of taxes ailing the tourism and aviation industries,” she observed.
Ms Sykes appealed to the government to step up efforts in enticing tourists to the country.
“Tourists need to pick Tanzania as their desired destination especially during tough times and this entails abolishing some of park fees and levies,” suggested the TAOA boss.
According to target indicators for the tourism sector, by 2025/26 real growth rate is projected to rise from the current 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.
The number of tourist arrivals is projected at 5 million, up from the current 1,527,230. The plan envisages an average number of nights to be spent by a tourist to go up from 13 to 14, while average expenditure per tourist per day (non-package/package) (US) will increase from the current 216/379 to 326/455 in 2025/26.
The sector is envisaged to employ a total of 1,750,000 from the current 1,500,000, the share of foreign exchange earnings in percentage will rise to 27 from the current 25, while earnings from tourists are projected to hit 6 billion US dollars from 2.6 billion US dollars currently.
