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Tanzania has an opportunity to turn the hosting of the 2027 Miss World pageant and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) into a major tourism and economic boost by using the international events to attract more visitors and promote the country as a destination.
National Teams spokesperson Haji Manara said on Saturday that the two high-profile events would place Tanzania before a global audience and create opportunities for the country to showcase its tourism attractions, culture and hospitality industry.
Speaking to journalists at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Mr Manara said the expected influx of international visitors would have a ripple effect across several sectors of the economy, including hotels, restaurants, transport, retail and other businesses providing services to tourists.
He said Tanzania should use the events not simply as occasions for hosting competitions, but as platforms to persuade visitors to explore the country's tourism destinations.
“The visitors coming for these events should also get an opportunity to see Tanzania, its culture and tourism attractions,” Mr Manara said.
He said Zanzibar was also well positioned to benefit from the anticipated increase in international arrivals, particularly by encouraging visitors to extend their stays and travel to different destinations within the country.
Miss World 2027 is scheduled to be held in Tanzania in September next year, marking the first time the country will host the global beauty pageant.
Tanzania will also co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Uganda, bringing together football teams, supporters, officials, media organisations and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
The scale of the events is expected to create demand for accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and other services, providing opportunities for both established businesses and small enterprises.
Beyond immediate spending by visitors, the events could give Tanzania longer-term benefits if the country succeeds in converting international exposure into increased tourist arrivals and repeat visits.
Mr Manara said Tanzania should therefore maximise the international attention generated by the events by promoting its wildlife, beaches, cultural heritage and other attractions.
The hosting of Miss World and AFCON comes as Tanzania seeks to strengthen its position as a leading tourism and investment destination in East Africa.
The events could also provide an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the government and private sector in improving visitor services and ensuring international guests receive an experience that encourages them to return.
With thousands of visitors expected to travel to the region for AFCON and global attention focused on Tanzania during Miss World, the events present an opportunity to link sports, entertainment and tourism with wider economic activity.
For Tanzania, the challenge will be to convert the temporary surge in international attention into sustained growth in tourism, business and the country's global profile.