Tanzania tourist numbers surge by 33.6 pct on lifting of travel ban

The number of tourists in Tanzania surged to 367,632 between January and April, 2022 as compared to 275, 097 tourists recorded during the same period, the latest data from the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) shows.

This is an increase of 92,535 tourists, equivalent to 33.6 per cent. Out of 367,632 tourist arrivals, 124,212 tourists entered the country via Zanzibar, which is equivalent to 33.8 percent of total visitors.

Tourists at Serengeti National Park. NBS forecasts that the number of tourists’ arrivals is expected to increase more than the number of tourists recorded before the COVID-19 due to the Government’s efforts to promote tourism attractions. Photo courtesy of the internet.

A press release issued by NBS further shows that the number of tourists’ arrivals for the month of April 2022 increased to 78,784 from43, 966 tourists recorded in April 2021.

The number of tourists increased by 34,818 tourists which is equivalent to 79.2 per cent.

“The increase in the number of tourists was attributed to lifting the travel ban following a decrease in the prevalence of COVID-19 in many countries around the world and the Government’s continued efforts to promote tourism attractions within and outside the country,” the press release said.

In 2019, a total of 1,510,151 tourists visited Tanzania with the largest number of 160,296 tourists entering the country in December 2019. After the world was hit by COVID-19, many countries-imposed travel restrictions that caused the number of tourists to decline to 620,867 in 2020, with a smallest number of tourists counted at 7,105 tourists as of April 2020.

The number of tourists’ arrivals increased to 922,692, equivalent to an increase by 48.6 percent.

The statistics body however forecasts that the number of tourists’ arrivals is expected to increase more than the number of tourists recorded before the COVID-19 due to the Government’s efforts to promote tourism attractions such as national parks, beaches, Mount Kilimanjaro and game reserves.

“In addition, the launch of Tanzania, the Royal Tour film by the President of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan has “brought the world to Tanzania “the press release added.

The increase in growth rates of economic activities related to the tourism sector involving Arts and entertainment (11.7 percent) and Accommodation and food services (11.3 percent) are among indicators showing improving tourism sector performance in the country.