PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM CHAIRED TODAY THE TOURISM FACILITATION COMMITTEE MEETING AT NATIONAL COLLEGE OF TOURISM, BUSTANI CAMPUS DAR ES SALAAM

HERE IS THE TALKING NOTES BY Ms. M.K. TARISHI, THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM AT THE TOURISM FACILITATION COMMITTEE MEETING: NCT BUSTANI CAMPUS CONFERENCE ROOM, 26TH AUGUST 2014

Departmental Directors – Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism,
Assistant Directors – Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism,
Distinguished Representatives from Public and Private Sectors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of my ministry to welcome and thank you for your response to attend this very important meeting. I believe this creates a very great opportunity and a proper platform for each one of us to offer an invaluable contribution to the development of our growing tourism sector and specifically in spearheading tourism service quality in Tanzania. Tourism has become one of the world’s fastest growing industries and an important means of poverty alleviation. Nevertheless, proper planning and logical implementation is crucial for bringing about the desired positive results.
Distinguished Members of the Committee/ Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would further like to remind you that, tourism is a multi sectoral industry where no single organization can claim total control over the entire production line of tourism goods and services. This means that, successful delivery of the wider tourism product is dependent upon close working relationships and interactions with numerous stakeholders both public and private dealing with areas including policy and regulations, transportation, safety and security, accommodation services, education and training, physical infrastructures among others. It is with this regard that we have come together today because, alone, the Ministry may not be able to bring out the expected results.
Distinguished Members of the Committee/ Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is worth recalling that, the Tourism Facilitation Committee is not a new phenomenon. It was first launched in Tanzania in the year 1992 with the main aim of implementing the decisions and agreements made during the year 1991 United Nations World Tourism Organization meeting, held in Seychelles. The main aim of initiating this kind of platform was to ensure that there is one voice from both public and private players in addressing various issues related to tourism development, and also to make sure that there is conformity with the current development trends of the sector.
Hence, it is my sincere belief that, with reference to the agenda of this particular meeting, we will take this opportunity to discuss and share experiences that will eventually contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Tanzania. The focus of the Ministry is now on the improvement of the existing product and developing new products to the highest standards so as to make Tanzania an all year round preferred tourist destination.

Distinguished Members of the Committee/ Ladies and Gentlemen,
With these few remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to welcome you again and declare this meeting officially opened.

THANK YOU.