NBC Bank Pledges to Boost Tourism, Minister Chana applauds efforts
The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana receives a booklet about the National Bank of Commerce's services for tourism businesses during her visit to their exhibition booth at the Mikumi National Park's 60th anniversary celebration yesterday. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana attributed the significant increase in the number of international tourists visiting Tanzania to the government’s initiatives and the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
Mikumi. The government is planning to establish a dedicated visitor entry gate at the Kilosa Station of the electric-powered train plying the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line in an effort to boost the number of tourists visiting the Mikumi National Park, a cabinet minister said at the weekend.
Speaking here at the Kikoboga football ground during at a function to mark the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Mikumi National Park, the minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana said the move would also create employment opportunities for the surrounding communities, including the villages of Mbamba and Kilangali.
“The most crucial aspect is to ensure that these improvements go together with the delivery of high-quality services.,” she said.
NBC Bank was one of the key sponsors of the event.
Speaking during the minister’s visit to the NBC pavilion, the bank’s Morogoro Branch Business Development manager, Mr Joseph Boaz, said the lender has been cooperating with various tourism stakeholders, including the Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa), its employees, tourism service providers and the tourists visiting various sites across the country.
“It is this deep-rooted partnership that has enabled us to be at the forefront of developing a wide range of financial solutions tailored to facilitate the delivery of services within the different tourism sites across the country,” he explained.
In her remarks, Dr Chana commended the Mikumi National Park management for their collaborative efforts with various stakeholders to continuously enhance the services offered to the site’s visitors.
She attributed the significant increase in the number of international tourists visiting Tanzania to the government’s initiatives and the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the number of international tourists entering the country rose by 96 per cent, from 900,022 tourists in 2021 to 1.8 million in 2023.
