Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu has called on local investors and businesspeople to invest more in the tourism sector by building hotels to accommodate the growing number of tourists climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Speaking during the launch of the fifth season of the Twenzetu Kileleni campaign on July 2, Babu said that while President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts to boost tourism are bearing fruit, the region still faces a shortage of hotel facilities.
“The President has done an outstanding job in promoting tourism, and now we’re receiving many visitors. But we don’t have enough places to accommodate them. Hotels are fully booked, and some tourists are forced to sleep in Arusha. I urge local businesspeople in this region, including the Director of Zara Adventures, to build more hotels instead of waiting or complaining,” Babu said.
He further added: “Many people invest in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mbeya, but avoid investing in their home region. I want to see our investors coming back to invest at home. There are great opportunities here.”
Zainab Anselim, Director of Zara Adventures, said this season they plan to guide 250 people to the summit through the Twenzetu Kileleni campaign, aimed at promoting domestic tourism.
“This is the fifth edition of the campaign, and its purpose is to encourage Tanzanians to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, promote domestic tourism, and boost national revenue,” she explained.
“This campaign is also a patriotic call to Tanzanians to appreciate and celebrate their own mountain. We welcome everyone to climb our mountain, which has been awarded the title of ‘The Best Mountain in the World,’” Zainab added.
With over 40 years of experience in the tourism business, Zainab also highlighted the campaign as an example for other women that they too can lead and succeed in major sectors such as tourism.
Angela Nyaki, Chief Conservator of Kilimanjaro National Park, commended Zara Tours for their efforts to encourage more Tanzanians to climb the mountain.
She noted that this year, more routes have been opened for climbing, and in addition to summit expeditions, there will be one- to three-day hiking packages for shorter adventures.
Meanwhile, Moshi District Commissioner Godfrey Mnzava said President Samia’s initiatives have helped increase revenue and create jobs for youth through the tourism sector.
“The government will continue partnering with the private sector to ensure domestic tourism grows and becomes more beneficial, especially for Mount Kilimanjaro, the rooftop of Africa,” Mnzava said.