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Tanzania tourism is booming
Tanzania`s tourism industry is booming according to Hon. Mr. S. Odunga Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Natural Resources and Tourism. In fact it is the fastest growing tourist destination in Africa. This is reflected not just in tourism numbers, but in the numerous recent investments by major luxury hotels such as the Kempinski Hotels and Resorts,Movenpick and Sun International.

Kempinski has opened its first properties in East Africa, the Kilimanjaro Kempinski on the Dar es Salaam waterfront and the Zamani Kempinski Resort Hotel on the Island of Zanzibar.Tanzania is without a doubt one of the most exciting tourism destinations in the world, said Marcus van der Wal, Regional Director for the Kempinski Hotels and Resorts.

Movenpick has taken over the Royal Palm Hotel in Dar es Salaam, its first property in East Africa, Sun International is building a luxury property in Zanzibar.

There should be plenty of tourists and business travelers to fill these new properties. Tanzania expects the total number of tourist arrivals to increase from 582,807 in 2004 to 600,000 this year, said Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB).Stakeholders in the industry attribute this growth to the world famous tourist attractions including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Selous and Zanzibar; high quality tourist accommodations; and the fact that Tanzania is a democratic, peaceful and stable country.Thuis December, Tanzanians successfully went through elections to elect H. E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the New President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

President Kikwete succeeds H. E. Benjamin William Mkapa who has completed his two presidential terms from 1995-2005. On December 29, 2005 the new elected members of Parliament elected Hon. Samwel Sitta (MP) to become new Speaker of the Union Parliament for a term of five years. Tanzania has successfully undergone democratic change with good governance to ensure fast economic growth and development for the people. Theodore Koumelis - Thursday, January 05, 2006