Mwanza — THE Parliamentary Committee for Lands, Natural Resources and
Environment has challenged Saa Nane Island National Park to be
pro-active and innovative in advertising its attractions and woo a
substantial number of both foreign and domestic tourists.
Members of the Committee said at the weekend that the National Park
needs to do more in making sure it garners more tourists and contribute
immensely to the economy of the land.
They commended the country's smallest national park for its efforts
that made it record tremendous success in terms of attracting domestic
tourists including increasing income, although it has potential to be
further utilized.
"The National Park can do more than it is doing today and make Mwanza
City more attractive and in so doing, you need to be more creative and
pro-active in advertising your attractions," said Mr James Lembeli, the
Committee Chairman.
Saa Nane Island which became a fully fledged National Park in 2013
has managed to attract 20,508 visitors, 19,598 of them domestic.
According to the report presented by the Deputy Chief Conservator, Mr
Donatus Bayona, between 2012 and February, this year, the National Park
has managed to collect 189.4m/- surpassing the target of 144.6m/-.
He said that the destination has the capacity of receiving and
hosting 612 domestic tourists and 28 foreign ones a month, mentioning
students from institutions of higher learning as some of the frequent
visitors.
"We have maintained the provision of education on conservation to all
the people including students who visit us every year where more than
5,300 visiting students got education for the past three years," he
said.
However, Mr Bayona reported a number of challenges some of them being
inadequate touristic and administrative infrastructures to facilitate
serving more tourists as well as insufficient boats to move the tourists
to and from the Island.
Members of the Committee raised concerns on the existing challenges
terming them as uncalled for since they all fell in the Tanzania
National Parks (TANAPA) capacity to solve them.
They suggested for the Saa Nane Island National Park to introduce
Welding Tourism and bring animals that are most attractive like Lions
but with extra care.
Mr Bayona said there were strategies to improve infrastructure as
suggested by the MPs, promising collaborations with other organs like
Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in making sure the Island is promoted both
locally and internationally.
TANAPA Director of Finance Mr Nassor Mndeme also assured the MPs on
the allocation of more funds for adverts in the next financial year.
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