The CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt), in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and key tourism stakeholders, has convened a high-level workshop in Arusha aimed at accelerating the adoption of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across Tanzania’s tourism value chain as part of national efforts to address climate change.
The workshop brought together conservation experts, private sector actors, research bodies, and representatives of public institutions responsible for driving Tanzania’s sustainability and climate resilience agenda.
Led by experts including Dr. Mike Musgrave of New Natural Capital, Dr. Gileard Minja, and Dr. Nyanjige Mayala from Sustainable Tourism Tanzania (STTZ), the forum discussed practical approaches for restoring natural landscapes, protecting water sources, expanding community-led wildlife conservation areas, and investing in blue carbon ecosystems.
These interventions were highlighted as essential for strengthening Tanzania’s tourism competitiveness while upholding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
Through its Business and Sustainability Pillar, CEOrt continues to position the private sector as a major driver of green transformation in Tanzania.
Under the NORAD-funded Resolve NbS Project, implemented jointly with IUCN, CEOrt is equipping businesses with practical guidance, implementation models, and financial knowledge to integrate Nature-based Solutions into sustainability strategies and investment decisions.
“Tourism is one of the sectors most dependent on natural assets in Tanzania,” said Hawa Urungu, CEOrt Project Manager.
“By protecting nature, we protect our markets. NbS offer tourism operators a cost-effective way to reduce climate risks, enhance the resilience of our attractions, and meet global sustainability expectations. This is not just an environmental agenda it is a business competitiveness agenda.”he added
Participants pointed to emerging opportunities in community conservation models, coastal ecosystem restoration, innovative and sustainable agriculture for hotel supply chains, and eco-friendly tourism infrastructure.
Discussions emphasized that integrating NbS could significantly improve visitor experience, safeguard national heritage, and unlock new streams of green investment, especially as global travelers increasingly seek destinations with positive environmental impacts.
Despite the encouraging progress, stakeholders stressed the need for greater technical support, targeted financing, and enabling policies.
Several tourism companies expressed willingness to scale up NbS initiatives but cited challenges such as limited incentives, high upfront costs, and inadequate institutional coordination.
The workshop concluded with a unified call: scaling up Nature-based Solutions in Tanzania’s tourism sector requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, financial actors, and the private sector.
Strengthening awareness, expanding green financing instruments, and building local capacity were identified as critical steps to ensure Tanzania remains one of the world’s leading nature-rich and climate-resilient destinations.
As the country advances toward its long-term development objectives and Vision 2050, Nature-based Solutions are emerging as a crucial tool for protecting environmental integrity and enhancing economic prosperity.
The momentum created through the CEOrt–IUCN partnership marks an important step toward practical implementation ensuring the tourism sector contributes meaningfully to a climate-resilient, environmentally responsible, and globally competitive economy.