Tanzania reports the US as its biggest source market for tourism, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
In 2017, the country received 107 361 visitors from North America, with 81% of those visitors from the US.
The top ten source markets for 2017 were:
- US
- UK
- Germany
- Italy
- India
- Israel
- France
- China
- The Netherlands
- Canada
According to the Ministry, the number of Chinese visitors dropped by about 5 000, from 34 472 in 2016. The ministry hopes this will pick up after the introduction of direct flights between Dar es Salaam and China, using Air Tanzania’s newly purchased aircraft.
Despite India and China coming only fifth and eighth on the list of arrivals, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) notes these are the highest-spending visitors to Tanzania. The NBS reported that Chinese visitors spent an average of $541 a night – three times more than the average overall expenditure of $178. Visitors from the UK, US, South Africa, France and Canada spent above the average.
In June, Alloyce Nzuki, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism said tourism was one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy and continued to be the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner.
Nzuki also said the government was committed to developing infrastructure around tourism, including improving roads and airports. “The government will also put emphasis on investments in heritage sites to attract more tourists visiting historical areas,” he concluded.
This report backs up claims by PricewaterhouseCoopers that tourism in Tanzania is growing, with occupancy rates in the country’s hotels expected to grow to 58% by 2022.
