SafariLands.org: Tourism: Fresh call for diversification of tourism products

In his view, government and other stakeholders should partner and encourage tourists to spend more time in the country, moving away from present "rush from one park to the other".

"Tanzania has perfect climate, very nice people and good food, why could we not promote lifestyle tourism?" he wondered.

Given the country's more than 900 km of coastline, it would be possible as for instance to encourage tourists to buy beach houses and come to spend their winter time here, bringing investment and cash.

This can also be done upcountry in places such as Iringa, Mwanza, Bukoba, which are also harbouring great tourism potential.

According to him, cultural tourism should be promoted by allowing people to start their own business, as it happens in South Africa, but regulation must be simple and easy, otherwise all investors would be discouraged.

He lamented that tourism attractions such as diving, snorkelling, surfing, sport fishing historical sites in such places like Kilwa have not been exploited.

Likewise, he urged Tanzanians to create a culture of visiting tourism attractions found in various parts of their own country.

His company, he said, was staged to develop untapped tourism potentials in Southern circuit in this year.

Experience shows southern parks and reserves including Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains, Selous, Ruaha and Katavi receive very few visitors compared to their northern counterparts although they offer a true African wilderness experience.

The company, in collaboration with Rufiji district council was in a process to develop Lake Utunge photographic project which would be used for tourism activities.

According to the District authorities, the project was authorised last year and the company had paid 50 percent of the cost to be involved in awareness and sensitisation exercise and the balance would be paid at a later stage.

"We have almost completed all procedures and now are waiting for the final decision from councilors before the project gets started" Ryen said.

Project promoters expect more jobs would be created for villagers, local government would get more tax revenues. Two camping sites would also be constructed at the site, as well as rehabilitation of airstrip.

By bringing up alternative form of income generation, it is also expected that the project would also help to reduce criminal activities such as poaching and illegal logging.

Utunge area which covers 350km is a home of various species of animals, including elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, impala, lions, leopard and even the very rare wild dogs. Human habitation is not to be found anywhere.

Experts in tourism industry are optimistic that cultural tourism resources will continue to serve as a base for the Tanzanian tourism industry.

Tanzania expects to earn USD 1.35 billion from tourism in 2009, up from a projected USD 1.2 billion in 2008, helped by increased marketing in North America and Europe.

Last year Tanzania received 719,030 tourists, fetching just over USD 1 billion, making the sector the leading foreign exchange earner.

Coastal Travels Ltd. has been operating out of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania since 1988. Our management has extensive experience in Air Charter and Tour Operating in East Africa that span several decades and our experienced team of pilots and engineers has been selected among the best in East Africa.

Coastal developed the "Scheduled Flying Safari", thus offering the opportunity, to small parties and single persons, to join into an adventure which would otherwise have prohibitive costs. Our operation covers Tanzania, but we do also fly to nearby countries and on occasion all the way to South Africa.

Our fleet consists of aircraft ranging from small three seaters we use for very private Flying Safaris, like honeymooners, to large (12 seats) turbine aircraft with high wings, to enjoy a better panoramic view. Of course our business is tourism based, but we do make available our aircraft, especially the faster ones, to people and organizations for emergency flights. In a region where transportation and communications are often difficult Coastal performs a service of good value.

We hope you will enjoy your stay in Tanzania and above all we hope to make your flying safari memorable.

Source: http://www.ippmedia.com