Tanzania’s Tourism Ministry has pledged TZS100m to help rebuild the Maasai Market in Arusha, also known as Mount Meru Curios and Crafts, which burned down in November last year. It has been estimated that the total cost of the project, which will see the rebuilding and upgrading of 223 shops, is TZS 500m.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu, was quoted in the Tanzania Daily News as saying the government is concerned with the predicament of the traders, especially as the curio centre is amongst the area’s most popular tourist attractions.

Anuj Sharma, GM of the African Tulip Luxury Boutique Hotel in Arusha, told Tourism Update that the government was assisting financially because the market belonged to the local population who could not afford the cost of the reconstruction.

According to Sharma, the market attracts numerous international tourists year-round. He added that the reconstructed market would, in all likelihood, be better than before, featuring permanent shops with concrete structures instead of the previous temporary wooden and steel constructions.

Mussa Kahulula, leader of the Mount Meru Curio Market, told Tourism Update he appreciated the government support but that it didn’t come close to covering the costs from the fire and the locals were desperately trying to raise funds. So far, they have managed to collect TZS 300m.

Kahulula hopes that the reconstruction of the market will be concluded by the end of May as June is the high season for international tourism to Arusha.