By Beatus
Maganja
The
Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) has signed four investment contracts to developing
tourism infrastructure in the Kijereshi, Pande, and Swagaswaga Game Reserves,
as well as the Makuyuni Wildlife Sanctuary.
The authority signed the contracts with Sea
and Bush Ltd and Ritungu Tours and Safaris Ltd companies on August 24, 2024 at
the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre.
At the
signing ceremony, TAWA’s Board Chairman, Retired Major General Hamis R.
Semfuko, said the contracts are part of the authority’s efforts to support
President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision for enhancing Tanzania’s tourism
sector.
“We expect
these investments to generate around TZS 27.3 billion annually for the
government. We will monitor the contracts closely to ensure they meet our goals
of boosting tourism and investment,” he said.
Semfuko
promised that the Board would provide full support to all investors to help
them achieve their goals.
“We
believe these investments will improve tourism infrastructure, create jobs, and
benefit local communities. They will also increase the number of tourists
visiting these areas and help boost government revenue” he added.
TAWA’s
Commissioner of Conservation, Mabula Misungwi Nyanda, shared that TAWA
announced investment opportunities for the 2023/24 financial year.
“We
received five applications from three companies. Our goal is to increase
tourist numbers from 1.5 million to 5 million and raise revenue from USD 2.6
billion to 6 billion,” he said.
“The
investments will boost tourism by adding 360 beds. This includes building
five-star lodges and four-star camps in the Kijereshi Game Reserve and Makuyuni
Wildlife Park. We are also introducing a new tourism activity, ‘Zipline,’ in
the Pande Game Reserve to attract more tourists to Dar es Salaam,” Nyanda said.
Sea and
Bush Ltd will develop lodges and camps in Kijereshi Game Reserve (Simiyu) and
Makuyuni Wildlife Park (Arusha).
Ritungu
Tours and Safaris Ltd will manage the Zipline in Pande Game Reserve (Dar es
Salaam) and operate the Swagaswaga Game Reserve hostel (Dodoma).
