LEADING presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday pledged to further transform Arusha into a world-class tourism and investment hub through major infrastructure and service upgrades.

Addressing a packed rally at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium, the campaigning leader stated that the next administration would prioritize major investments in aviation, railway, hospitality and convention facilities to meet Tanzania’s ambition of hosting eight million tourists by 2030.

“Arusha is Tanzania’s face of tourism, but it is also a region of agriculture and pastoralism. We want no one to be left behind in our development journey,” she stated, espousing the need for a conducive business environment to attract local and international investors.

Upgrading the region's air transport capacity was allocated 17bn/- for rehabilitation and expansion of Arusha Airport to operate 24 hours a day starting next January, she said, similarly citing Lake Manyara Airport as undergoing expansion billed at 88bn/-.

The Northern Zone is gearing for the 1,000-kilometre standard gauge railway (SGR) project from Tanga to Arusha and up to Musoma on Lake Victoria shores, substantially strengthening tourism and trade routes, she stated.

Air Tanzania Co. Ltd (ATCL) had acquired eight new planes in the past five years, while the government has plans to purchase another eight planes in the next term of office, she stated, stressing that these investments will boost tourism, trade and transport, positioning Tanzania as a more visible global destination.

The construction of a new international convention centre in the tourism capital, complete with exquisite hotel facilities and large conference halls will help to attract global events, along with a tourism information centre to enhance service delivery for visitors, she said.

A new historical legacy centre in Ngorongoro Lengai will showcase the nation’s rich heritage, meanwhile major road projects would be completed and new network points initiated.

Urban infrastructure in Arusha city is also set for a major boost with the ongoing construction of a 14.3bn/- bus terminal and market complex, alongside two new markets valued at 30.6bn/-, she said.

Land utilization will be boosted by repossessing several undeveloped flower farms like Kili Flora, Arusha Blooms and Kili Flora Nduruma – with the tracts set to be reallocated through the building a better tomorrow (BBT) youth initiative for agribusiness, the candidate specified.

Over 3.97trn/- has been spent on development projects in Arusha Region over the last five years, spanning vast health, education, water and infrastructure projects, she summed up.

The rally similarly heard strong endorsements from party secretary general Dr Asharose Migiro, Arusha Urban parliamentary candidate Paul Makonda and veteran cadre and former minister Nape Nnauye, who urged the electorate to grant the party another mandate in the October 29 polls to pursue the development agenda.