TANZANIA: More Investment In Hotel Facilities

Speaking during the second annual hospitality roundtable conference in Dar es Salaam, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Investments in hotel accommodation facilities are highly encouraged in the country to match with the growing number of tourists visiting its premier attractions.

Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Adelhem Meru, said comparing to neighbouring Kenya, the country lags behind in hotel investments.

“As a government, our duty is to create better environment for investment as there are many opportunities available as hotel investment in Tanzania has been moving at a snails pace, derailing tourism development in terms of visitors arrivals,” said Dr Meru.

Dr Meru further said the business community should be challenged to benefit from tourist attractions that are available within the country as well as invest more money in hotel facilities.

According to him the Tourism Master Plan released in 2002 stated that the total room capacity was estimated at 10,020 of which only about 5,000 were of international standard and today the number has increased to 28,410 rooms.

The PS said the increase in capacity was mainly due to increased investments in the sector, construction of new hotels and lodges as well as extensions and upgrading of hospitality infrastructure.

Dr Meru said the issue of hotel accommodation was very crucial to Tanzania as tourism survey reports reveals that more than 90 per cent of international tourists visiting the country stay in good hotels while the remaining 10 per cent are assumed to be staying with friends and families.

He supplemented that success will only come if both the private sector and government put their hands together to push forward the Tanzanian tourism agenda with a view of making the country an investment destination of choice.

The travel and tourism industry competitiveness report issued by the World Economic Forum this year outlined that Tanzania ranks seven out 141 nations for its abundant natural resources.

However, the index also illustrates the need to uplift infrastructure and business environment in order to establish overall industry competitiveness.

Stakeholders on Monday gathered to foster the growth of a sustainable industry by offering its delegates, speakers and exhibitors networking and knowledge sharing opportunities.