With all tourist attractions available, Tanzania remains an expensive destination for Spanish and other European tourists.
Flights into Tanzania and tourist accommodation services are very expensive to be affordable by most Spanish tourists wishing to visit this country, said Mr. Santiago Martinez-Caro, the Director General of the CASA African Company during his visit to Tanzania this week.
He noted that 85 percent of tourists visiting Tanzania might wish to come back, but fail because of higher flight and accommodation services, saying tourism prices in Tanzania remain three times higher compared to other destinations, while advising tourist stakeholders to look at a way that could minimize such expenses so that more tourists visit this country.
The Chairman of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Mr. Reginald Mengi said it was unfortunate that most tourists visit Tanzania once or prefer a single visit and never come back again for a second visit.
Mr. Mengi decried the culture of most tourists who prefer to visit Tanzania once, despite rich and attractive wildlife parks available, coupled with other tourist products.
But, on his side, Mr. Martinez-Caro said CASA Africa is looking at best options that would help the African continent to minimize travel and tourism costs.
CASA Africa is a Spanish government institution mandated to foster stronger ties between Spain and Africa to reinforce Africa’s capacity to employ tourism as an effective instrument of socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
CASA Africa will be responsible to support better tourism policies in Africa, as well as to create employment opportunities through increased investment in, and marketing of, African destinations.
“There are huge business opportunities in the African tourism sector. This initiative allows Spanish businesses to sit down with their African counterparts and invest in viable tourism projects in Africa,” said Mr. Martinez-Caro.
International tourism in Africa has almost doubled since 2000, growing from 26 million international tourist arrivals to 50 million last year.
