THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has initiated a partnership with an active sports tourism organizer targeting the western sphere of the northern tourism circuit.

Shigeki Komatsubara, the UNDP resident representative, told journalists here over the weekend that this initiative will help turn the circuit into a more inclusive economic area. 

The programme is focused on ensuring that tourism revenues benefit local populations around the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. 

“Our mission is to empower local fishermen, farmers and livestock keepers to engage meaningfully in the tourism value chain,” he said, affirming the need to redirect tourist spending toward grassroots economies.

As part of this initiative, the upcoming Serengeti Safari Marathon will engage local suppliers in products like beef, fish and fruits, vegetables to hotels and lodges in the Serengeti area, he stated. 

This collaboration boosts local businesses and foster growth, enhance social inclusion and promote environmental sustainability, he said, pointing at the need to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, to connect people with local resources, improving job opportunities and quality of life for many. 

With tourism a vital component of the economy, contributing nearly 19 percent to GDP, this strategy is positioned to create lasting change, he suggested, pointing at a study by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in relation to the state of rural economy.

The studies indicated considerable disparity in tourism revenue distribution, as the Mount Kilimanjaro area accommodates 28 percent of total revenue for local communities, while in contrast the Serengeti yields 19 percent for surrounding areas 

The UN agency sees the need for a more equitable revenue distribution in tourism, valued at $3.5bn annually and supporting over 1.5m jobs. A larger portion of this wealth needs to be distributed among local communities, he stated. 

Timothy Mndika, the marathon orgamser, hailed UNDP for promoting active sports tourism over the past six years, acknowledging that it has strengthened the rural economy. 

“The upcoming marathon, set for November 16, is expected to attract 2,000 runners,’ with a good number coming from foreign countries, where the cumulative needs of stay and participation is projected to drive up local economic and engagement in tourism as a whole, he said. 

Conservation, tourism promotion and community benefits will be registered via the multiplier effects of this event, as an initiative taking up sports; while embodying a wider objective of ensuring that local communities are more engaged with the tourism ecosystem.

“They need to thrive alongside the flourishing tourism sector, ultimately aiming for a more inclusive and sustainable economic future for Tanzania.” he added.