Tanzania: Tourism Ministry Pledges to Increase Revenue

Dodoma — The Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources targets increasing the number of tourists visiting the country from the current 1.1million to three million, it was announced yesterday

Speaking before the House, Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Prof Jumanne Maghembe said the target is to be achieved in the next three years. He said that the ministry's contribution to the national economy was high, but however it was still unsatisfactory.

The minister thus said that the ministry has laid down feasible strategies to ensure that the sector significantly contributes to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Minister was speaking before the House on Thursday evening when contributing to President John Magufuli's parliament's inaugural speech. Dr Magufuli in his speech to launch the eleventh parliament in November last year promised that his government was all out to ensure that available natural resources greatly benefit the majority.

"My Ministry has sketched out plans that will enabled the country reap more from the sector.

We have abundant natural resources all over the country, that if properly managed can significantly improve the country's economy," hinted the minister.

He noted that currently, the ministry's contribution to the national economy stood at 23 per cent, with 25 per cent of foreign exchange coming from the sectors.

Prof Maghembe said that in the next three years, the ministry is determined to make sure that 40 per cent of the national income is generated from the sector. "This is very possible; we only need seriousness and tighten screws against corruption and ensure that no government money is rerouted into individual pockets," he told the National Assembly last evening.

The minister also declared war against poachers, saying that the vice has to be fought left, right and centre. He noted that it has been unfortunate that the country was losing billions of shillings and its wildlife due to illegal killings, pledging more concerted efforts to curb the problem.