Hundreds of visitors have flocked to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism pavilion at the Fourth National Cultural Festival in Morogoro, drawn by exhibitions highlighting the potential of cultural products in promoting tourism.
The pavilion, coordinated by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), has become one of the attractions at the festival, offering visitors information on tourism opportunities and how Tanzania’s cultural heritage can contribute to the growth of the sector.
Artist Rajambu Hassan said his group had benefited from the tourism industry, adding that efforts by the ministry to promote cultural tourism could create more opportunities for artists and communities.
“We have benefited from the tourism sector, and we commend the ministry for continuing to encourage communities to take advantage of opportunities available through cultural tourism,” he said.
Mr Hassan said he visited the pavilion to gain a better understanding of how cultural products could be integrated into tourism and used to generate economic opportunities.
TTB Senior Cultural Officer Getrude Ndalo said the pavilion had received a strong response from members of the public since the festival began.
She said institutions under the ministry participating in the festival were providing visitors with information and services aimed at increasing awareness of opportunities in natural resources, tourism and culture.
The festival provides a platform for artists and cultural groups to showcase Tanzania’s diverse heritage while creating awareness of the role of culture in supporting tourism and livelihoods.