THE number of tourists coming to Tanzania has reached 3.5m, generating 3.9bn/- in revenue, and surpassing the 2024/25 target, the government has stated.

Dr Pindi Chana, the Natural Resources and Tourism minister, made this assertion when opening the ministry’s 33rd Workers Council meeting, hailing this achievement as a result of strong leadership and sectoral reforms implemented over the past four years.

Linking the increase in visitations to reforms and strategic direction by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, she said the tourism sector now contributes 21 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP).

Its share in foreign exchange earnings has reached 30.9 per cent with tourist visitations contributing 25 per cent while forests and beekeeping added 5.9 per cent, making natural resources the country’s top foreign exchange earner.

The president had driven tremendous transformation in the sector and instilling a renewed spirit of hard work among our staff, she affirmed, pointing at the country’s growing recognition on the global stage.

This was illustrated by obtaining seven international awards, including World’s Leading Safari Destination, Africa’s Leading Destination 2024, and Africa’s Leading Tourism Attraction 2024, she said.

Looking forward, the ministry’s staff need to sustain the momentum with efforts to diversify tourism products, amidst projections of increasing revenue from $2.6bn in 2020 to an ambitious $6bn target by 2025.

“Key strategies include strengthening game hunting tourism, boosting conference tourism, developing beach tourism and enhancing revenue collection systems,” she stated.

Civil servants in the ministry need to intensify efforts in protecting and sustainably managing natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations, she said, stressing on the strengthening of stakeholder capacity in managing wildlife, forestry and beekeeping resources.

There is also need to boost capacity in controlling poaching and illegal logging, promoting investment in wildlife ranches and gardens, along with creating a conducive environment for private sector participation, she said.

CP Benedict Wakulyamba, the deputy permanent secretary, reiterated the ministry’s dedication to improving staff welfare and professional development to strengthen the sector’s performance.

Staff wellbeing will be prioritized, along with capacity building and effective participation in diverse initiatives, he added.