Tanzania’s Goodwill Tourism Ambassador in America named

During his weeklong tour in United States, Tanzanian President Mr. Jakaya Kikwete has picked famous American businessman and photographer, Mr.

During his weeklong tour in United States, Tanzanian President Mr. Jakaya Kikwete has picked famous American businessman and photographer, Mr. Douglas Pitts, as Tanzania’s Goodwill Tourism Ambassador in the United States.

Doug Pitt was named Goodwill Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania by President Jakaya Kikwete at Essex House in New York this week during a dinner function.

Doug is a photojournalist and the director of charity Africa 6000 International, which helps provide fresh water to the people of Africa.

Mr. Kikwete said during the event that he had acknowledged efforts by Mr. Pitt’s efforts in promoting Tanzania to the US tourist market.

“I understand that you have been visiting Tanzania quietly, taking photographs, doing business and supporting various humanitarian projects,” Mr. Kikwete said after presenting Mr. Pitt with a certificate of his appointment.

The Tanzanian president further thanked Mr. Pitts for accepting the offer and asked him to continue with the good work he has done so far and maintain his love for the country.

Natural Resources and Tourism Minister, Mrs. Shamsa Mwangunga, who accompanied the president at the ceremony, underscored the importance of the fast growing US tourism market.

She said that last year 66,000 tourists from the US visited Tanzania, up from about 5,000 arrivals ten years ago. The minister said the US was now the leading source of tourists to Tanzania ahead of Britain and Germany.

The minister said last year a total of 700,000 tourists visited Tanzania and expressed optimism that the number would increase due to enhanced marketing and promotion drive.

While in New York last week, President Jakaya Kikwete
called for global co-operation in combating maritime piracy off the Indian Ocean coast, in accordance with international law.

The Tanzanian president condemned increased acts of piracy in the Eastern African coast and the Horn of Africa, which is a vital shipping lane connecting Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas whereby gangs have seized dozens of ships in the area over the last few years and money in millions of dollars in ransom was paid to pirates who hijacked the vessels.

“Piracy is a serious international security and economic problem that needs co-operation in effectively combating it”, he said.

“Every country must play its part in fighting piracy as provided for in international law. In Tanzania, we are going to play our part and everyone else must do so,” Mr. Kikwete said.

He called for immediate punishment of suspected pirates captured during various rescue operations, adding that Tanzania was in the process of reviewing its laws to facilitate trial and conviction of suspected pirates.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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