The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hassan Abbas, has said the continued rise in tourist arrivals in Tanzania is a strong indicator of successful conservation efforts and a driving force for greater investment in national parks.
Dr Abbas made the remarks on October 17, 2025, during a working visit to Mkomazi National Park, where he inspected the ongoing Mbula Rhino Project.
The visit followed a promise he made on September 30, 2025, after handing over equipment to the Wildlife Control Centre at Goha in Korogwe District, Tanga Region.
Speaking during a brief meeting with officials from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Dr Abbas said the tourism sector’s achievements were a direct outcome of the hard work of conservation officers and rangers.
“The growth in tourism is the result of your dedication to conservation,” said Dr Abbas. “Let us continue to work together and use the resources we have to move further. We should invest in promoting our attractions instead of waiting for tourists to find them on their own. We must focus on projects that, within the next five to ten years, will clearly show that our investments have brought positive changes to tourism and the wider economy.”
He said the ministry, through the Wildlife Conservation Force, is intensifying efforts to raise and manage funds through the Tanzania Wildlife Development Fund (TWDF) and the Tourism Development Fund (TDl).
The funds, which are generated from tourism revenues, are secured by allocating between 3 and 6 percent of the total income to support sustainable conservation and tourism growth.
Dr Abbas also noted that the government has strengthened conservation capacity by providing more working tools and improving infrastructure to address challenges that hinder protection activities across various parks.
For her part, the Northern Zone Conservation Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Conservation Steria Ndaga, thanked Dr Abbas for his commitment and support in advancing the conservation and tourism sectors, which she said play a vital role in boosting the national economy.
Presenting a brief report on Mkomazi National Park, Assistant Conservation Commissioner Emmanuel Moirana said the park has recorded a remarkable increase in visitors from 489 tourists in 2015/16 to 10,991 in 2024/25 reflecting the growing interest in Tanzania’s natural attractions.
After the meeting, Dr Abbas toured the Mbula Rhino Project, which covers 13 square kilometres, where he observed nine of the 13 rhinos currently being protected within the facility.