Overall Earnings Increase:

• Earnings from tourism saw a significant improvement, with a 42.8% increase compared to the corresponding quarter in 2022.
• This increase was attributed to a notable rise in the number of non-resident visitors.
• The increase in earnings was partly due to effective tourism promotional initiatives by both the Government and the private sector.

Contribution of Attractions:

• A notable increase in the number of non-resident visitors contributed significantly to tourism revenue.
• Revenue was generated through entry fees for motor vehicles, concessions, and camping fees at attraction sites.

National Parks Performance:

• Earnings from national parks increased across most zones, except for the Southern Highlands zone.
• The Northern zone accounted for the largest share of both the number of visitors (66.4%) and earnings (62.4%).

Visitor and Earnings Breakdown by Zone (Quarter ending Dec-23):

Central Zone:

1. Number of visitors: 35,969 (5.5% increase from Dec-22)
2. Earnings: TZS 1,728.8 million (1.2% increase from Dec-22)

Lake Zone:

1. Number of visitors: 142,832 (21.9% increase from Dec-22)
2. Earnings: TZS 45,552.0 million (32.8% increase from Dec-22)

Northern Zone:

1. Number of visitors: 433,525 (66.4% of total)
2. Earnings: TZS 86,687.4 million (62.4% of total)

South Eastern Zone:

1. Number of visitors: 31,226 (4.8% increase from Dec-22)
2. Earnings: TZS 3,634.3 million (2.6% increase from Dec-22)

Southern Highlands Zone:

• Number of visitors: 9,432 (1.4% increase from Dec-22)
• Earnings: TZS 1,227.9 million (0.9% decrease from Dec-22)

Total Performance:

• Total number of visitors: 652,984 (-3.3% decrease from Dec-22)
• Total earnings: TZS 138,830.3 million (42.8% increase from Dec-22)

Tanzania's tourism industry is crucial for the sustainability of the country's economy:

1. Economic Growth and Diversification:

• The substantial increase in tourism earnings indicates the potential for tourism to contribute significantly to Tanzania's economic growth and diversification.
• By investing in the development of tourism infrastructure, marketing, and promotion, Tanzania can further boost its tourism sector, providing a steady source of income for the economy.

2. Job Creation and Poverty Reduction:

• A thriving tourism industry creates employment opportunities, particularly in areas such as hospitality, transportation, and tour guiding.
• This can help reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty, especially in rural areas where many national parks and attractions are located.

3. Conservation and Environmental Sustainability:

• Tourism revenue can be reinvested in conservation efforts, protecting Tanzania's rich biodiversity and natural resources.
• Sustainable tourism practices ensure that natural attractions remain preserved for future generations while also benefiting local communities.

4. Promoting Inclusive Growth:

• The data shows that various zones in Tanzania benefit from tourism revenue, but there are disparities in performance.
• Investment in less-developed zones, such as the Southern Highlands, can promote more inclusive growth by spreading the economic benefits of tourism across the country.

5. Enhancing Competitiveness:

• To sustain and grow the tourism industry, Tanzania needs to remain competitive in the global market.
• This involves continuous improvement of infrastructure, services, and visitor experiences to attract more tourists and increase their spending.

6. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP):

• Collaborations between the government and the private sector are essential for the sustainable development of tourism.
• The success of tourism promotional initiatives mentioned in the data highlights the effectiveness of such partnerships.