Tanzania has set up a National Convention Bureau to promote conference tourism as a way of speeding up the industry’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Dr Aloyce Nzuki, last week said that Tanzania’s diplomatic offices in various countries around the world will be used to canvass for more international conferences to be held in Tanzania.
The NCB will function as a department under the coordination of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and handle all arrangements and bookings for international conferences, symposiums, conventions and other meetings, Dr Nzuki explained.
He described conference tourism as a key tourism product that has not been properly tapped in the past despite its huge potential to complement the numerous beach and wildlife attractions that abound in Tanzania.
Last month the ministry launched an electronic database to monitor the quality of tourist and visitor accommodation services in the country.
According to the PS, the database will monitor income statuses among visitors to the country and their individual abilities to afford service costs at accommodation facilities other than expensive hotels and lodges which offer higher and expensive packages. (By APOLINARI TAIRO)