By The Respondents Reporter
Arusha Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla has urged tourism and hospitality operators to use the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting to showcase Tanzania’s tourism, hospitality and investment opportunities to thousands of international visitors.
The IPU Assembly is scheduled to take place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) from Oct. 5, bringing more than 2,500 parliamentarians to the city, according to Mr Makalla.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with tourism companies, hotel owners, tour guides, entertainment venue operators, porters and artists, Mr Makalla said the visitors would create opportunities for businesses beyond accommodation and conference services.
“More than 2,500 IPU parliamentarians will come, and each parliamentarian has an assistant. Some will come with their families, while others will want to go on tours,” Mr Makalla said.
“They will stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and want to visit tourist attractions. When they come, they also look at other opportunities such as investment and business, and they may plan to return.”
He urged businesses to treat the visitors as potential long-term customers and ambassadors for Tanzania rather than focusing only on the conference period.
“If they choose your service, make sure you leave them with a smile so they can come back to you,” he said.
Mr Makalla also called on tourism and hospitality operators to reflect Tanzania’s reputation for peace and hospitality through the services they provide.
“Tanzania is known for peace and hospitality, and I ask us to demonstrate that image when providing our services,” he said.
The meeting brought together key players in Arusha’s tourism and hospitality industry as the city prepares to host the international parliamentary gathering.
Participants said the event could help strengthen Arusha’s position as a destination for both wildlife tourism and international conferences.
They also thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for projects they said were improving Arusha’s infrastructure and supporting its role as a tourism and conference hub, including construction of a stadium and ongoing road projects.
The stakeholders pledged to implement the regional commissioner’s directives during the IPU meeting and maintain service standards that would promote Tanzania’s image internationally.
They also said they would use the preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament to further position Tanzania as an international tourism and sports destination.
Arusha has long served as a major gateway to northern Tanzania’s safari circuit and a centre for international conferences, with events such as the IPU meeting expected to bring additional visitors and spending to hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies and entertainment businesses.