Tanzania has witnessed a remarkable surge in revenue from ecotourism, with recent figures revealing a collection of over 1.5 billion Tanzanian shillings (TZS) in the past three years. This significant achievement underscores the country's efforts to leverage its natural assets to drive economic growth.
Professor Dos Santos Silayo, Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency, highlighted this achievement during a meeting with editors and senior journalists in Dar es Salaam. He attributed the boost in revenue to deliberate efforts by the government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, particularly through the promotion of the Royal Tour film. This film has played a pivotal role in showcasing the country's ecological treasures both domestically and internationally.
According to TFS statistics, there has been a substantial increase in the number of tourists visiting ecotourism centers, rising from 59,606 in the 2020/2021 period to an impressive 242,824 in 2022/2023. Correspondingly, income generated during this period witnessed a meteoric rise from 154 million TZS to approximately 1.5 billion TZS.
Prof. Silayo hailed this achievement as remarkable, emphasizing the unprecedented growth in ecotourism that surpasses any previous records. Buoyed by this success, the agency has set ambitious targets, aiming to attract 500,000 tourists and amass 3 billion TZS in revenue by 2025.
Tanzania's ecotourism focuses on nature-based experiences, showcasing the country's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. As the nation prioritizes sustainable tourism practices, it is poised to emerge as a global leader in ecotourism destinations.
Prof. Silayo highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster Tanzania's ecotourism infrastructure, including the completion of three new hostels in strategic locations and renovations of existing accommodations in various nature reserves. Significant investments have also been made in improving amenities within forest reserves to enhance visitor experiences.
Moreover, the agency has successfully managed conflicts between reserves and local communities, with a high rate of resolution achieved over the past three years. Efforts to provide conservation and forest management education to communities continue, aimed at preserving protected areas and ensuring sustainable resource management.
TFS, mandated to manage national forest reserves and bee reserves, remains committed to its mission of conserving forest and bee resources for the benefit of present and future generations. With the establishment of TFS as an Executive Agency, there are high expectations for enhanced management and conservation efforts to ensure the sustainable supply of quality forest and bee products and services.
During the tenure of the sixth phase government, TFS has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of tree farms and the production and distribution of millions of tree seedlings. Additionally, Tanzania boasts a substantial capacity for beekeeping, with the potential for significant honey and beeswax production across various regions.
Overall, Tanzania's ecotourism sector's success reflects a holistic approach to sustainable development, aligning conservation efforts with economic prosperity and community empowerment.