MONDULI District Commissioner Festo Kiswaga has applauded President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her relentless efforts in promoting Tanzania’s rich tourism potential.

Speaking at the inaugural Diplomatic Tour dinner held in Arusha over the weekend and sponsored by NMB Bank, Kiswaga said President Samia’s Royal Tour documentary has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the tourism sector and marketing Tanzania globally.

“Through her documentary, President Samia has reenergized our tourism industry, pushing it toward pre-pandemic levels and positioning Tanzania as a premier travel destination,” he said. “There’s no better way to appreciate her dedication than acknowledging how far the sector has come under her leadership.”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Shaibu Musa—who is also leading the diplomatic delegation—said the three-day tour aims to showcase Tanzania’s tourism appeal to ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions based in the country.

“This experience is designed to give diplomats a first-hand view of Tanzania’s breathtaking offerings. We began in Dar es Salaam, traveled to Arusha to visit Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, and will conclude in Zanzibar. We believe these envoys will return as ambassadors for our tourism, helping attract visitors from their home countries,” Musa said.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ambassador Isaac Njenga, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between Tanzania and Kenya in conserving the shared tourism ecosystem.

“The tourism market is vast—there’s room for both countries to benefit,” Njenga said. “Instead of competing, we should adopt joint strategies, develop shared tourism circuits, and proactively grow the sector together.”

Also speaking at the event, bank’s head of transactional banking, Linda Teggissa, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism value chain—part of its broader strategy to strengthen the sector’s contribution to national development.

Tourism contributed 17.2 percent to Tanzania’s GDP in 2024, up from 16.4 percent in 2023, according to official figures.

“The tourism sector is a key economic driver—it creates jobs and supports communities,” Teggissa said. “Sustainable growth, however, depends on access to reliable financial services.”

She noted that NMB has rolled out tailored funding solutions to help tourism-linked businesses navigate current economic challenges.

“Our products span the full credit spectrum—from trade and working capital to asset and project financing,” she said. “These options empower businesses to secure capital efficiently, enhance services, and remain competitive.”

Teggissa also highlighted the bank’s capacity to support single-borrower financing of up to $227 million, thanks to its solid financial performance.

“NMB remains committed to partnering with government and stakeholders to advance the tourism sector and unlock its full potential,” she concluded.