By Charles Mkoka
DAR ES SALAAM, July 4 – Tanzanian luxury hotel operator Ayasofia Hotels is positioning itself to benefit from an anticipated surge in tourism ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the East African nation prepares to co-host the continent's premier football tournament.
The company showcased its tourism products during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, known locally as Sabasaba, in collaboration with the Tanzania Tourist Board and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Susan Kanje, Marketing Officer for Ayasofia Villas Dar es Salaam and Ayasofia Wildlife Arusha, said the company is preparing to accommodate both football fans and international visitors expected to travel to Tanzania during the tournament.
"We are here to showcase Ayasofia as part of preparations for AFCON 2027 and to demonstrate the tourism experiences that Tanzania can offer international visitors," Kanje said.
Ayasofia's Dar es Salaam property, located on Mbutu Beach in Kigamboni, comprises 29 villas catering to individual travellers, families and groups. The resort also offers conference facilities and outdoor spaces for corporate events and team-building activities.
The coastal property has also developed a private wildlife attraction featuring giraffes, zebras, gazelles and ostriches, alongside exotic species including Bengal tigers and white lions.
Meanwhile, Ayasofia Wildlife Arusha, located in the Maji ya Chai area within Dolly Estate, combines luxury accommodation with a free-roaming wildlife experience, allowing guests to observe animals directly from their rooms.
The lodge's location between Arusha city and Mount Kilimanjaro offers views of both Mount Meru and Africa's highest peak, providing what the company describes as a unique selling point for international tourists.
Tanzania, together with neighbours Kenya and Uganda, will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the first time the tournament will be staged in East Africa.
The competition is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the region and has triggered increased investment in sports infrastructure, transport networks and tourism facilities as the three countries prepare to welcome teams and supporters from across Africa and beyond.
