Tanzanian authorities have lowered park fees for East African citizens to attract more tourists from neighbouring countries.
According to the latest programme by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania is targeting visitors from the East African Community (EAC) member states to visit wildlife parks and historical sites. Adult EAC citizens will now pay Tsh10,000 ($ 4.2), the same fee adult Tanzanians will also be charged.
Dr Pindi Chana, the minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, said the government will also focus on meetings and conference visitors through exhibitions, conferences and other tours.
Dr Chana further added that lowering fees and providing hosting incentives for conferences will help attract five million tourists worth $6 billion, the target set for 2025 under the Five Year Tourism Development Plan now under implementation.
The initial step is to work with EAC Secretariat in Arusha to harmonise travel restrictions and movements of people within the EAC bloc under the umbrella of the East African Tourism Platform (EATF).
Under the EATF, Tanzania joins others in the EAC bloc to form a single tourist destination for its regional citizens without restrictions at border entry points and harmonised fees to access tourist areas, mostly the wildlife parks and heritage sites.
The country has also introduced electronic visas (eVisa) for foreign tourists entering the East African country.
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