Tanzania lifted the ban on international flights on Monday, allowing both scheduled and non scheduled flights into her airspace. The directive from President John Pombe Magufuli seeks to bring back lost opportunities in the tourism and the hospitality industry.
“As long as their body temperatures don’t point to anything unusual, I will allow them to proceed and view Tanzania’s wildlife without entering quarantine,” said President Magufuli.
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In response, Transport Minister Isack Kamwelwe opened the airspace for commercial, diplomatic, emergency relief, and humanitarian aid flights to enter Tanzania.
“I direct the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to inform ICAO about the decision and ensure that the directive is fully implemented,” The Citizen quoted Kamwelwe.
Tanzania’s tourism revenue fell from $2.6 billion to $598 million due to travel restrictions put in to lessen the spread of Coronavirus. The country has also lost 477,000 jobs in the hospitality sector.
The minister asked hospitality facilities to prepare to revive the industry.
“The ministry is aware that the reopening of our skies will bring back business opportunities, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries,” he added.
For the year, tourism Minister Hamisi Kigwangalla expected foreign exchange from tourism to rise to $2.6 billion. Moreover, he expects the country to receive 1.867 million visitors, therefore creating 623,000 jobs.
