Tanzania’s Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair, the largest and most ambitious travel industry event in East Africa, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary, June 5-7, 2009. The Karibu Fair, held just outside of Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, attracts travel industry partners from around the world. The annual event is organized by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT).

“We are proud that with the success of the Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair, Tanzania is playing a major role in developing tourism to the region,” said the Hon. Shamsa Mwangunga, the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism for Tanzania. “The Fair also provides Tanzania an opportunity to showcase its world famous tourism product, its rich cultural heritage and the warm hospitality of its people.”

Part of the uniqueness and excitement of The Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair is that it is an outdoor event that offers a real safari experience. Over 250 exhibitors and thousands of regional and international visitors are expected to attend the 2009 Fair, which is open to the trade on June 5th and 6th, and the public on June 7th. Travel industry suppliers, large and small, including tour operators, tourist boards, hoteliers, and support service representatives and equipment manufacturers are typical attendees. International travel trade journalists regularly cover the event along with local media, and "familiarization trips" are being offered to encourage international travel agents to attend.

“Since America is Tanzania’s number one source market for tourists, we are making a major effort to attract more travel agents from the US market,” said Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board. “There are currently over 1000 qualified Tanzania Travel Agent Specialists in the US, and we hope to encourage them to participate by offering special pre and post safaris. This year, for the first time, Karibu is offering a pre-fair safari for agents to the Southern Circuit.”