Ezekiel Maige, MP, Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, reported that “Tanzania tourism continues to show tremendous growth.” Maige is leading a high-level tourism delegation to the U.S. to encourage investment in infrastructure, hotels and lodges, especially in the luxury sector, as well as meet with tourism partners. Tanzania will celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence on Dec. 9.

In an effort to increase tourism from the U.S. and strengthen Tanzania’s position with major tour operators, Maige and his delegation met with Terry Dale, president of United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). He also spoke at the Africa Travel Association’s (ATA) Sixth Annual Presidential Forum, which took place at New York University on Sept. 20. Tanzania Tourist Board and Tanzania National Parks were sponsors of the event. The Tanzanian delegation then proceeded to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Third Annual Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America’s Convention, which takes place at the Marriott Washington Dulles Airport Hotel on Sept, 22 and 23, and culminated in a gala “uhuru” (freedom) dinner marking the 50th anniversary.

 “Tanzania will be marking its 50th anniversary as a year-long celebration,” said Maige. “We are working closely with tour operators to create special 50th anniversary packages that will be diverse and affordable, enabling many people to experience Tanzania during this exciting period.” Tourism is one of Tanzania’s fastest-growing economic sectors, with 782,669 arrivals worldwide in 2010, representing a 9 percent increase over 2009. In the U.S., Tanzania’s number-one source of tourism, tour operators reported a tremendous increase in bookings in 2011, and for 2012 and 2013.

The result of this growth is an increased demand for expanding hotel capacity as well as flights, especially to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is the gateway to the famous icons in the north, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. As the country celebrates 50 years of a peaceful and stable democracy, Tanzania continues to be a prosperous and investment friendly country. Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, protects approximately 28 percent of its land in 15 National Parks and 31 game reserves. It is the home of the tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro; the Serengeti, home to the Great Animal Migration; the Ngorongoro Crater; Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind; the Selous, the world’s largest game reserve; Ruaha, the second-largest National Park in Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.