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HON. PROF. JUMANNE A.
MAGHEMBE, MP, TANZANIA'S MINISTER FOR NATURAL
RESOURCES AND TOURISM LEADS DELEGATION ON U.S.
PROMOTIONAL TRIP Hon.
Prof. Jumanne A. Maghembe, MP, Tanzania's Minister
for Natural Resources & Tourism, (left)
presents Patty Key, CTC, High Point Travel, Dallas,
Texas a door prize of painting from Tanzania at a
packed Tanzania reception for the travel
industry. More
photos of USA Tour. The
Hon. Prof. Jumanne A. Maghembe, MP, Tanzania's
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, led a
delegation of eleven high level tourism officials
on a promotional visit to the US recently.
Receptions for leading travel agents and tour
operators; meetings with prominent civic and
business leaders, and media interviews were the
cornerstone of the successful New York/Dallas/San
Diego trip. Tanzania, the
largest country in East Africa, has long been a
lure for American travelers. In 2006,
Americans accounted for 55,000 visitors - second
only to travelers from Great Britain. The Hon. Prof
Maghembe plans to increase that number to 150,000
in the next few years. To achieve his goal, he is
implementing a sophisticated new integrated
marketing and promotion program. The Hon.
Minister's trip to the U.S. represents the launch
of the promotional aspect of this plan: educating
travel agents as well as consumers about the
potential of "The Land of Kilimanjaro and
Zanzibar." Tourism is one
of the key economic drivers in the Tanzania
economy, second only to agriculture. In figures
from 2006, tourism made up 17.2% of the country's
GNP. Worldwide, tourism to Tanzania has increased
12% over its figures for 2006, now reaching
approximately 700,000. Plans to boost tourism
significantly through growth of the American market
therefore make promotions geared to the travel and
tourism sector
essential. A prominent
presence at key travel trade shows worldwide
remains important in Tanzania's promotional mix.
The New
York Times Travel
Show -
the largest of its kind in the nation -- was
therefore an important first stop for the
delegation. The Tanzania exhibit attracted a
constant flow of visitors Tanzania was also the
only country featured at the show's panel about
travel to Africa. At packed travel
agent receptions in NY, Dallas and San Diego,
presentations about the world-renowned wildlife and
natural wonders, archeological monuments, rich
cultural heritage and 1,000 miles of white sand
Indian Ocean coastline in Tanzania were well
received. Just as importantly, Americans are
interested in learning that since its independence
in 1961, Tanzania has enjoyed peace and stability
in a democratic environment. Other attractions
include Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in
Africa; the Serengeti, recently named the Seventh
New Wonder of the World by USA Today and ABC-TV's
Good Morning America; the Selous, world's largest
Game Reserve; the Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge
(cradle of mankind), and the exotic spice islands
of Zanzibar. More than 30% of the country is
protected, with 14 national parks, 33 Game
Reserves, and Saadani, the only marine/bush
National Park in Africa. In New York,
travel agents showed their enthusiasm about this
fascinating country at a reception hosted by the
Hon. Prof. Maghembe, featuring the Tanzania UN
Ambassador, Dr. Augustine Mahiga, as a guest
speaker. The reception was held in association with
New York University's Africa House and the Africa
Travel Association. Other highlights of the New
York visit were a Seton Hall University Law School
breakfast at the St. Regis hotel honoring the
University's new Study Abroad Program in Zanzibar,
Tanzania, and an investor lunch hosted by the NY
Society for Security Analysts. Hon. Prof. Maghembe
was interviewed by a roster of prestigious hotel
and travel industry
publications. Hon. Maghembe
addressed a similar gathering of key travel
professionals from the Dallas area. The delegation
was also greeted at City Hall with a Letter of
Welcome to the city. The Hon. Prof. Maghembe was
interviewed on The Steve Cosgrove Radio Show and by
the 'Top 10' newspaper (The Dallas Morning
News). California
Sedtion Other key
presentations were made at the San Diego Business
Travel Association luncheon, San Diego University
School of Hospitality, and Carefree Vacations. Bob
Rauch, General Manager, Homesuites by Hilton Hotels
in Del Mar, hosted a breakfast meeting during which
the delegation presented an ebony carving to Scott
Peters, San Diego City Council President.
Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director of the Tanzania
Tourist Board, was interviewed by TV's Fox Morning
News. TravelTalkRadio host Sandy Dhuyvetter
featured interviews with the Tanzania delegation on
two consecutive weekly shows, and featured Tanzania
on her television travel segment on San Diego's
top-rated channel 9. Travel to
Tanzania from the U.S. is already increasing
dramatically, and expectations are that this
promotional tour will insure the goal of greatly
multiplying the current visitor
numbers. For more
information about Tanzania visit
www.tanzaniatouristboard.com; in the US: The
Bradford Group, (212) 447-0027; email
Tanzania@bradfordglobalmarketing.com |
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AMERICA
SOON TO BE TANZANIA'S #1 MARKET FOR
TOURISTS