LOCAL tour operators are busy tweaking their tourism packages in raised earning expectations for tours and accommodation as numerous travel agents from around the world gather here from May 20 to 23.

Organisers say that the maiden international tourism summit 2024 and a high-profile business to business (B2B) exhibition will attract 100 influential travel agents from various countries in six weeks’ time.

Billed as a tourism summit and indoor tourism and travel fair, the events are being organised by the International Ecotourism Society, African Queen Adventures and Rethinking Tourism Africa (RTA), officials said. 

RTA director Edna Foya, key organiser for the high-profile fair, said here yesterday that the response from local tour and hotel operators to participate in the B2B exhibition is remarkable.

Arusha city streets are abuzz with excitement as locals and visitors alike await the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant tourism summit atmosphere and exhibition, hundreds of local tour operators and hotels having so far booked space.

They will seek to showcase their services and products before the global travel agents set to participate in the inaugural summit and B2B fair, she stated.

Alice Manupa, African Queen Adventure CEO, said the summit, the first of its kind to be held south of the Sahara, is part of efforts to add to the dynamism set in motion by intense initiatives by President. Samia Suluhu Hassan to revamp the tourism industry.

Qualifying the event as a business opportunity of a lifetime, she said the firm is working around the clock to uplift its tourism packages to impress global travel agents. This will enable the various agents to work with local firms to bring tourists in the future, a hotel owner said, opting for anonymity.

The convergence of industry leaders promises to pave the way for enhanced collaboration, knowledge exchange and sustainable growth in the tourism industry, she asserted.

 Visiting travel agents will venture into parts of the wilderness and engage with local communities, she said, noting that their experiences and insights may help to tune up the passion for travel in their home markets, propelling a wider sense of connection with the scenic offers of the northern tourism circuit

She was as always grateful for the role of TravelShop Turkey CEO and International Ecotourism Society vice president Murtaza Kalender in facilitating the event, bringing the summit to Africa and to Tanzania in particular.