Tanzania: International tourist arrivals down
Declining tourism numbers put Tanzania on alert
Declining international tourist arrivals in Tanzania have put the country on alert.
Government sources indicate that tourist arrivals declined by 10 per cent in the first 10 months of 2009, to reach 576,643 down from 641,951 in 2008.
The UN’s World Tourism Organisation’s 2009 report — World Tourism Barometer projects that the negative trends in international tourism emerged in the second half of 2008 and intensified in 2009 due to the global economic downturn and swine flu pandemic.
According to the report, international tourism dropped by 8 per cent, from 269 million in 2008 to 247 million in the first quarter of 2009.
The organisation also speculates that the trend will carry on to June 2010.
However, Ibrahim Mussa, assistant director, research, training and statistics at Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism said the effects of the global crunch had not badly wounded the country.
This is despite statistics showing declining figures with the exception of July, which recorded 79,171 visitors compared to 77,775 visitors in 2008.
The trend is replicated in Zanzibar where the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism has reported only 81,985 tourists arrivals against a projected figure of 150,000 in 2009.
It is impossible that Zanzibar will salvage the situation that has badly affected the economy because peak periods are elapsing.
Julia Bishop, director of Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors is optimistic about the country recovering from the crisis.
Tanzania earned $1.2 million from tourism activities in 2008 while Zanzibar received $1.6 million, which is a 3.1 per cent decline from the figures recorded in 2007.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the average length of stay for visitors in Tanzania mainland was nine nights as compared to 10 in Zanzibar, which earned the country $299 per visitor.
Tanzania is now intensifying its efforts to revamp domestic tourism which grew by 19.3 per cent to reach 639,749 in 2009, compared to 2008.
Comments
Dear Kenyans, could you mind to talk about development of your country and let Tanzanians talk about their country?
The figures about tourist decline you are giving are outdated. The figures were reported immediately by UNWTO. You don’t have to repeat this. The situation was caused by economic crisis which affected almost all countries in the world including Kenya. I know, because of jealousy, you are trying to inculcate a bad image to international tourists about Tanzania. You should note that any negative implications drawn from your disgusting campaigns will also affect Kenya. Think broadly.
There is no truth on figures about tourism in Zanzibar. Ask Tanzania Tourist Board they will tell you the truth. Also you should note that Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. As such, there is nothing like Zanzibar and Tanzania as your campaign shows. Don’t waste your time on unrewarding politics!
Martin
you are right Prosper , that post , you are now entering tanzania not only seem to be old , but it is very old. i wish the minister of Roads and tourism should see this.
if our neighbour kenya can have a good border ,then who are we not to improve on our border gate.
i agree with you alot.
for us to improve on our tourists rate then alot need to be done on our borders and adverts.
thax . Elizabeth rajuayi prosper munuo
student , makerere university.
Sir, these numbers will go down more because of the highway planned for Serengeti national park. If TZ don't stop this they will kill tourism and even mess with the Massai Mara.
Yours faithfully
Mukasas Fred M.
THE DOOR TO YOUR HOME MATTERS ALOT ON WHAT IS INSIDE.THIS BORDER SHOULD INDICATE CLEARLY WHAT IS INSIDE TANZANIA ,THEREFORE ALOT AND ALOT NEED TO BE DONE ON THIS BORDER.SO WE AS TANZANIANS WE SHOULD EMBARK ON THE IMPROVENT OF THIS BORDER.LET THE MINISTER OF ROADS AND TRANSPORT COORDINATE WITH MINISTER OF TOURISM TO HELP BETTER THE PLACE.
THE TAVETA BORDER , NOT TO MENTION lUNGALUNGA BEWTEEN KENYA AND TANZANIA SHOULD BE MODIFIYED .ONE ,TO INCREASE MORE TOURISTS TO TANZANIA AND INCEARESE MORE COMFORT WHEN TRAVELING.
STUDENT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
THE DOOR TO YOUR HOME MATTERS ALOT ON WHAT IS INSIDE.THIS BORDER SHOULD INDICATE CLEARLY WHAT IS INSIDE TANZANIA ,THEREFORE ALOT AND ALOT NEED TO BE DONE ON THIS BORDER.SO WE AS TANZANIANS WE SHOULD EMBARK ON THE IMPROVENT OF THIS BORDER.LET THE MINISTER OF ROADS AND TRANSPORT COORDINATE WITH MINISTER OF TOURISM TO HELP BETTER THE PLACE.
THE TAVETA BORDER , NOT TO MENTION lUNGALUNGA BEWTEEN KENYA AND TANZANIA SHOULD BE MODIFIYED .ONE ,TO INCREASE MORE TOURISTS TO TANZANIA AND INCEARESE MORE COMFORT WHEN TRAVELING.
STUDENT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
The post indicating 'your now entering tanzania' seems to be very old.The boder is the interance of the country and someone can see the image of of our coutry from there.l believe Tanzania deserve better than that.
lets show how Tanzania looks like from our borders.Tourist information centres should be estalished and well equipt to serve the visitors in efficience manners.
Tanzania also has to reverse its attachment fees for the tourist and focus on how the tourist can spend much money as possible when they are within our bounderies.
Student makerere university
Bachelor of tourism management
Regards
the numbers shown for Tanzania and Zanzibar are confusing as several are not tied to precise periods or to the preceding context.
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