From left to right: Eddie Bergman, Executive Director, Africa Travel Association; H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Hon. Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, United Republic of Tanzania... as the Hon. Minister was elected President of the Africa Travel Association

The Hon. Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, was elected new President of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) International Board of Directors. ATA is the New York-based premier professional travel industry association promoting tourism to the continent of Africa. The election took place at the 33rd ATA Annual International Conference in Arusha.

“I look forward to working together with all Members of ATA’s International Board of Directors, together with Eddie Bergman, Executive Director of Africa Travel Association (ATA), to continue ATA’s successful path and vision, to bring in new markets, to develop sports tourism and the Asia market”, said Hon. Shamsa Mwangunga.

Since it had hosted the 23rd ATA Annual Conference in 1998, Tanzania has played a leadership role within ATA holding the office of President from 2001 to 2005.

Tanzania’s leadership comes at a time when Tanzania tourism is booming. For the first time ever, U.S. visitors represent the largest single tourism destination for Tanzania world-wide. It is estimated that more than 750,000 tourists will visit Tanzania this year, up from 719,031 of last year, 2007. According to the Hon, Shamsa S. Mwangunga, projections are for Tanzania to receive one million tourists by the year 2010. She said that the tourist industry has already overtaken agriculture as the number one foreign exchange earner in the United Republic of Tanzania.

In September 2007, Tanzania launched its first ever TV Broadcast Campaign, on CNN USA. The theme “Tanzania – Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Serengeti” appeared on CNN, CNN Headline News, CNN Airports and CNN.com. The Campaign culminated in a Tanzania Sweepstakes on CNN.com in March 2008 which resulted in 39,000 plus entries.

In November 2007, Tanzania launched the Travel Agent Tanzania Specialist Program, which resulted in over 650 Travel Agents being qualified as Tanzanian Specialists and over 1,300 Agents who visited the program by the end of May 2008.