Tanzania identifies China as new strategic tourism market

DAR ES SALAAM - Tanzanian authorities announced on Friday that they have identified China, Russia and India as the country's new strategic tourism markets.

"As Tanzania is moving towards boosting its tourism industry, we have identified a number of new strategic tourism markets, including China, Russia, and India," said Thereza Mugobi, director of tourism in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Mugobi made the remarks at the opening session of the 7th Swahili International Tourism Expo in the port city of Dar es Salaam, which has attracted over 150 exhibitors and over 100 international buyers from more than 20 countries worldwide.

With the newly identified strategic tourism markets, Tanzania is likely to meet its target of attracting 5 million international tourist arrivals by 2025, she said.

Opening the tourism expo on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Angellah Kairuki said the government was taking measures aimed at promoting Tanzania's tourism industry on the global map.

She added that the tourism industry in Tanzania contributes 25 percent of foreign exchange earnings and 17.5 percent of the gross domestic product.

The opening ceremony of the three-day tourism expo, themed "Responsible Tourism for Inclusive Growth," featured cultural performances by students from the Chinese Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, as well as participants from India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Mozambique and the host country, Tanzania.