The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
20 June 2008
Tanzania has sought India's help to develop its hospitality industry and is keen on direct air link between the countries, Indian press reported yesterday.
The issues were discussed at a 45-minute meeting between India's Tourism minister Ambika Soni and Tanzania's Natural Resources and Tourism minister Shamsa Mwangunga.
"The two leaders discussed the current world scenario, especially fuel price increase and steps to be taken to stop its impact on the tourism sector," said a statement issued in New Delhi on Wednesday.
During the deliberation, Ms Mwangunga sought India's help in developing the hospitality sector including training of manpower.
"Tanzania enjoys rich cultural bondage with India which need to be exploited by exchanging ideas and policies to promote tourism," she said.
She urged India to explore the possibility of restoring direct commercial flights between India and Tanzania.
At the moment, Air India, flies to Tanzania via Kenya. Earlier, it used to fly directly to Tanzania.
Soni said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in the tourism sector would facilitate cooperation.
Soni also extended invitation to Tanzanian writers and journalists to visit India for better understanding of his country.
Tourism is the leading hard currency earner in Tanzania having hosted about 735,000 tourists last year.
This year, the sector, which is also one of the leading contributors to wealth creation in the economy, expects to attract 800,000 tourists that are expected to bring into the country about $1 billion.
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