TOURISM and environmental activists, with the participation of the Natural Resources and Tourism ministry, are organising what is billed to be a ground breaking tourism policy reform summit later this week.

Lathifa Sykes, the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) chief executive officer, told a press conference here yesterday that summit is being organised in partnership with the government and an Environment Now activist group, themed  'Blue and green: Making the most of Tanzania's coast and hinterland ecosystems,’ in the commercial capital on Thursday and Friday.

The stakeholder summit promises to be a major step in shaping the future of sustainable tourism, aligning with the envisaged Vision 2050 development goals, she said.

Public and private sector institutions and entities will get a platform to discuss strategies for enhancing the tourism industry while ensuring sustainability, environmental protection and socio-economic growth are at the heart of the discussion.

 “With the country’s rich natural landscapes like the coastal areas and hinterlands, the event will focus on exploring sustainable approaches to tourism development that can both preserve the environment and drive economic growth,” she stated.

A broad spectrum of government entities will be involved, in a collaborative approach to shaping the future of tourism in the country, she said, listing the sector ministry, the Treasury, the revenue authority and investment centre among other key stakeholders.

The various entities will contribute to high-level discussions on what is needed in tourism regulatory reforms, tax policies and widening investment opportunities in tourism, she stated.

The sector minister will for instance offer valuable insights into the country’s tourism strategy in relation to sustainable development, she said, hinting at a collective undertaking to be unveiled at the event.

The undertaking is a forward-thinking initiative designed to guide the future of sustainable tourism development, where delegates will engage in extensive reflections on challenges and opportunities on the issues.

They are expected to cover infrastructure, investment and environmental conservation, leveraging the newly designed collective initiative, she explained.

Tourism sector stakeholders will be in a position to interact directly with the tax authorities and project registration officials to address concerns around investment, taxation and regulatory issues, she stated.

This practical platform will support business growth and adopting best practices, with the confederation chieftain affirming that the summit would take up issues of environmental, social inclusion and governance –ESG- principles.

In partnership with Environment Now and the University of Dar es Salaam, the ministry is expected to oversee an ESG course for tourism sector officials, “setting a new standard for sustainable tourism operations across Tanzania,” she further asserted

Professional standards for tourism guides need to address the critical shortage of skilled guides, so the ministry is facilitating a collaboration with the Field Guides Association of East Africa (FGAEA), the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM) at Mweka in Kilimanjaro Region, and the National College of Tourism (NCT), she stated.

This initiative seeks to elevate certification standards and better equip guides to meet local and international demand, ensuring higher-quality tourism experience, she said.

The ministry wishes to position the country as a premier destination for eco-tourism and wildlife adventures while taking action for sustainable growth and environmental conservation, she said.

TCT plays a key role in facilitating dialogues between government and industry stakeholders, while the environment action group is an environmental consultancy focused on promoting sustainable development practices. 

With expertise in environmental management, its involvement ensures that the event not only discusses sustainability but integrates it into actionable strategies for the tourism industry.

The event theme prefigures making its holding a pivotal moment in the transformation of the tourism industry, fostering collaboration, sustainability and growth aligned with the country’s long-term development goals, the CEO added.