By Our Correspondent - Dodoma
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has hailed a dramatic rise in tourism as one of the country’s standout development achievements, attributing the success to deliberate government reforms during her administration.
Addressing the nation during the official closure of the 12th Parliament in Dodoma, President Samia highlighted tourism as a key driver of economic recovery and national pride—especially following the global downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tourism is not only back—it is thriving,” she said. “We took bold steps to revive and grow this sector, and we are now witnessing the impact.”
According to government figures, international tourist arrivals more than doubled, rising by over 132 percent from 922,692 in 2021 to over 2.1 million in 2024. Domestic tourism saw an even more dramatic rise, with local visitor numbers increasing fourfold—from 788,933 to more than 3.2 million in just three years.
The President also pointed to job creation and youth involvement as key gains from the sector’s growth. She said the number of licensed tour operators rose from 2,885 in 2020 to 3,735 in 2025, while the count of certified tour guides increased from 5,076 to 7,662 in the same period.
Tourism revenues jumped from $700 million in 2020 to $3.9 billion in 2024, providing a much-needed boost to Tanzania’s foreign exchange reserves and job market.
Observers say the turnaround is due in part to renewed marketing efforts, including The Royal Tour documentary—an international promotional campaign where President Samia herself acted as the country’s tourism ambassador.
Tanzania, home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and the spice island of Zanzibar, is aiming to become a regional leader in eco-tourism and heritage travel.
As she concluded her address, the President called on Tanzanians to continue supporting the tourism industry—not just as a source of income, but as a celebration of national identity and natural heritage.
