The Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) has suspended development projects and scaled down major road works, staff recruitment and large purchases on fears of a Sh32 billion decline in the revenue this year due to the global financial crunch.
Visitors to the 15 national parks managed by the authority fell by 15 per cent between July last year and February this year. The national parks normally account for 70 per cent of foreign tourists to Tanzania.
Tanapa director-general Gerald Bigurube told reporters here yesterday that the authority had projected to collect Sh100 billion during 2008/09 as entry fees to the national parks but the projection has been revised to Sh.69 billion due to declining numbers of visitors.
Tanapa had expected to receive 573,000 tourists this financial year but with the global recession the number will be around 400,000 visitors.
The projected fall in revenue has necessitated the budget review and suspension of major infrastructure projects such as construction of bridges, staff houses, major posts and water and power schemes.
Also put on hold are large purchases and recruitment of additional staff although the authority was still in dire need of more workers following the opening of three national parks in recent years and retirement of senior employees.
"Fortunately, we purchased our last fleet of 30 vehicles before the recession started to bite," he said.
The fall in the number of foreign visitors and revenues has been much significant at Serengeti National Park — the largest park which receives the highest number of visitors.
Serengeti also has the highest operational costs. However, Tanapa does not expect to retrench staff and it will continue to recruit park wardens.
"Normal operations (at the parks) such as security patrols and service to the visitors won't be affected by the budget review," he said.
He said Tanapa and other tourism stakeholders were devising ways to enable the country to cushion the impact of the global recession to the industry.
The measures being considered include reviewing park and entry fees and carrying out an aggressive promotion to promote tourism.
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators last month proposed that tourist visa and entry fees to the national parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area be waived and levies be cut.
Its executive secretary Mustapha Akunaay said confirmation of bookings for foreign tourists had dropped by between 20 per cent and 60 per cent since last November while and booking inquiries had fallen by 30 per cent to 50 per cent.
Tanzania projected to earn $ 1.3 billion from tourism last year. Earnings were forecast to rise to $ 1.6 billion by next year as tourist arrivals were projected to reach one million.
