As Tanzania sets its sights on attracting five million tourists and generating USD 6 billion in revenue, the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) is emerging as a strategic player in the country’s eco-tourism drive.
Ibrahim A. Mussa, a retired Marketing Director at TANAPA, described TFS as a “sleeping giant” during his presentation on “Opportunities, Challenges, and Trends of Eco-Tourism at TFS” at the Fourth Conference of TFS Center Leaders and Commanders, held at Cate Hotel on February 19, 2026.
Drawing on decades of experience in Tanzania’s natural resources sector, Mussa highlighted the rapid growth of tourism within forest reserves.
He noted that visitor numbers jumped from 59,606 in 2020/21 to 152,954 by mid-2023/24, with a target of 500,000 for 2024/25. Revenue also increased from TZS 154.9 million to TZS 1.27 billion, aiming for TZS 3 billion.
Mussa stressed the need for TFS to diversify beyond traditional income sources such as timber and honey, urging the adoption of integrated approaches that combine conservation, sustainable resource use, and stakeholder engagement.
“Eco-tourism is not just recreation; it is a tool for strengthening the green economy, protecting biodiversity, and advancing conservation diplomacy,” he said, linking the strategies to national forest policies.
He pointed to new government regulations, including Government Notice No. 132 of 2025 and updated eco-tourism infrastructure rules, as opportunities to attract investors for eco-lodges and environmentally friendly services.
Sites such as Amani Nature Reserve, Pugu-Kazimzumbwi, Magamba, and Minziro Forest Reserves were highlighted for their potential to attract niche markets seeking pristine natural experiences.
However, Mussa cautioned that challenges such as invasive species, climate change, boundary disputes, and pressure to increase visitor numbers could threaten ecological balance.
“It is easy to measure money and visitor numbers, but hard to gauge conservation success. We must avoid falling into the ‘niche trap’ without knowing the level of eco-tourism quality we are at,” he said.
Among his recommendations, Mussa urged TFS to brand itself as a leader in green tourism, improve data collection, adopt modern marketing techniques, and utilize technology such as drones for marketing and tourist safety.
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring local communities benefit from tourism projects and of involving the private sector in infrastructure development to reduce financial pressure on the agency.
TFS leaders at the conference said the presentation sparked extensive discussions on balancing revenue growth with core conservation responsibilities, highlighting the potential of forest reserves to play a transformative role in Tanzania’s eco-tourism sector.