Tourism earnings in Tanzania grew by 17% year on year, with earnings between June and August this year at Tsh67.87 billion, compared with Tsh57.96 billion for the same period in 2015.

International tourists who visited Tanzanian national parks between June and August this year increased to 348 547 compared with 340 308 in the same period last year.

In the three months, earnings for June, July and August this year were Tsh15.12 billion, Tsh25.58 billion and Tsh27.15 billion respectively compared with earnings of Tsh12.99 billion, Tsh22.82 billion and Tsh22.15 billion in the same period in 2015.

The report attributes the tourism growth to peace and stability in Tanzania and marketing by the Tanzania Tourist Board in overseas markets.

The report suggests Tanzania’s introduction of 18% VAT on tourism services in July had not impacted negatively on the industry.

Last month, Tanzanian Tourism Minister, Jumanne Maghembe, directed the Tanzania Tourist Board to intensify tourism promotions in overseas markets for the country to register three million international arrivals by 2018.

In 2014, Tanzania received roughly 1.1 million international tourists and had set a target of two million visitors by 2020.

Maghembe said Tanzania had the potential to attract three million tourists by 2018 as it boasted attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro.