President Kikwete: new online portal, app to help Tanzanian tourism industry players

President Jakaya Kikwete has announced the setting up of a new online Destination Tanzania portal and app (now available on Play Store) developed by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB).

This innovation will support Tanzanian tourism firms, increase visibility and access to international tourism markets, increase company sales and profitability as well as contribute to poverty alleviation and the national economy of Tanzania.

The announcement was made at the Kilimanjaro Hyatt Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
At the same time, President Kikwete also announced  the launch of Tanzania Tourism’s new brand campaign, Tanzania, The Soul of Africa. This 30-second TV campaign will be launched globally on CNN America as well as BBC International beginning this October and will run for six months.

President Kikwete urged Tanzanian tour operators to make use of the portal and app, stating that these tools would play a significant role in developing and promoting Tanzania’s tourism industry and become unique platforms to attract international and regional tourism to Tanzania.

President Kikwete commended the Tanzania Tourist Board and tourism stakeholders for this major campaign initiative, which will continue to position Tanzania as one of Africa’s leading tourist destinations.

“I am very impressed by the Tanzania Tourist Board’s initiative. We need to apply these new approaches in order to effectively compete with other destinations around the world,” said President Kikwete.

His Excellency further stated that the tourism industry accounts for about 17.2 percent of the Tanzania GDP and nearly 25 percent of the total export earnings.

The President also emphasized the enormous economic importance of tourism, especially as an “engine of employment” which directly supports an estimated number of 250,000 jobs.

The tourism industry is also one of the largest employers in Tanzania and the primary foreign exchange contributor to the economy.

The new Tanzania Tourist Board portal can be found here.