Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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Tanzania’s hospitality sector is experiencing robust growth, with an influx of international hotel investments, the latest being the renowned Radisson Hotel Group. The group recently announced its entry into the Tanzanian market, revealing plans to open seven new hotels. This expansion will introduce over 1,200 rooms to their African operations.
The group has marked Tanzania as a critical focus for its aggressive expansion efforts, initiating its presence with two hotel agreements. Specifically, the group will introduce 334 rooms across the country, including a complex in Dar es Salaam’s central business district comprising 94 guest rooms and 44 three-bedroom apartments.
Radisson’s upcoming hotel in Dar es Salaam will occupy the upper 14 floors of a 33-story skyscraper, positioning it as one of the tallest buildings in the region. Conveniently located near the ferry terminal to Zanzibar, the hotel promises a variety of dining options, an outdoor pool, a poolside restaurant, and several retail outlets.
Furthermore, Radisson plans to establish a presence in Mwanza by 2025 with a 196-room facility. Mwanza, known for its bustling corporate scene and proximity to the Serengeti, is poised to bolster Radisson’s portfolio in Africa, which spans 30 countries.
The expansion aligns with a surge in tourism, as reported by the Bank of Tanzania’s latest economic review, with tourist numbers reaching a record high of 1.9 million in the year ending April of this year. The revenue from tourism also saw a significant increase, prompting President Samia Suluhu Hassan to advocate for intensified investment in luxury accommodations.
The Kwanza Resort by SUNRISE, a new five-star establishment in Kizimkazi, is part of this initiative. President Samia celebrated its opening last August, emphasizing the need for more such developments to accommodate the growing influx of visitors.
Aligned with the Third Five-Year Development Plan and the CCM party’s 2020-2025 electoral manifesto, Tanzania aims to attract 5 million tourists by 2025, targeting a revenue of 6 billion US dollars. The plan underlines tourism as a major contributor to the GDP and foreign earnings, highlighting the sector’s vast potential due to Tanzania’s unique natural landscapes.
In pursuit of competitive edge and sectoral linkages, the plan also focuses on enhancing legal frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and diversifying tourism products, including promoting the southern tourism circuit as a vibrant alternative.
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