TANZANIA: Tour Operators Warned Against Entry Cheating

THE government has issued a stern warning against deceitful operations in letting in undocumented tourists in Kilimanjaro National Park (Kinapa) and non-compliance of regulations in the tourism business, causing the government losses in income.

The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Professor Jumanne Maghembe, said as he met tourism stakeholders.

He said that it is unacceptable that a conspiracy is struck between the park officials and some wayward individuals to that end. Professor Maghembe said he gathered that there are some ‘panya routes’ used alongside the legal gates, but a good number of tourists are not registered.

He said that this could be reflected in the fact that instead of revenue going up it was the other way round, after the number of people touring the park dropped from 50,000 to 45,000 per annum. “There have been deception as some guests are not documented yet they enter the park and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, hence the government misses its due income.

Every tourist must be documented and must pay what they have to. “There is massive cheating and we are going to take action,” said Professor Maghembe who was flanked by the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Amos Makalla and Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) Director General, Mr Allan Kijazi.

The minister threatened that if his call was not adhered to before May this year the ministry might consider opening doors to other business people to mount up competition that would lead to better services and revelation of perpetrators.

He said Kinapa was the park that earns the country most foreign exchange and he is not ready to see its revenue come down. Instead he is out to see it double within a year or so.

He said in 2007 rules were set that all activities should be run by locals, but at international standard, something he is going to make a follow-up on. Professor Maghembe was also concerned that some tourists were not treated well.

He said that Tanzanian hospitality was losing its gloss. He said besides generosity, tourists who climb Mount Kilimanjaro should be served with excellent food. There was no point to increase profits while offering substandard services.

The minister said he has been informed about longstanding complaints from porters and guides in regard to the deaths of their fellows who trek to Mount Kilimanjaro with tourists, because they go without proper clothing and equipment.

He ordered Kinapa’s new leadership under Chief Park Warden, Ms Betrita Loiboki to ensure nobody is allowed to trek to Africa’s highest mountain without the right gear, adding that some porters are said to take hard drinks (viroba) thinking they would take the place of proper clothing.

He promised to initiate a massive campaign to promote Mount Kilimanjaro, starting with America through ABC News, FOX News, then move to The UK, Germany and Italy to ensure the number of tourists rises again.