Tanzania basks in global glory as tourism hotspot

Tanzania’s dominance as a premier tourism destination was affirmed at the 31st annual World Travel Awards (WTA) held in Mombasa, Kenya, last week where the country secured four major prizes. The accolades not only bolstered Tanzania’s global tourism appeal, but also shone enduring spotlight on the nation’s natural endowments in the multibillion-dollar industry. Tanzania’s global recognition rested on two of its most iconic sites, The Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro. Serengeti’s sixth consecutive win as Africa’s leading National Park underscores the enduring appeal of its vast savannahs and abundant wildlife, including the cult like attraction to Africa’s “Big Five,” the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephants and African buffaloes, which are plentiful in the park. Serengeti’s Chief Warden, Mr Stephano Msumi, credited their success to the dedication of rangers and local communities who all work tirelessly to preserve the park’s delicate ecosystem that includes the annual Great Migration, of mostly more than a million wildebeest, pursued by predators, which is quite a wonderful spectacle to behold. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, was recognised as Africa’s leading tourist attraction. Kilimanjaro’s unique appeal lies in its challenging but rewarding trek to conquer its permanently snow-capped summit, lying almost on the Equator. To reach the summit, climbers go through the world’s major climate zones of tropical forests, desert, Mediterranean and temperate vegetation and finally the rewarding arctic temperatures, all in one effort as one goes high up in the sky in a single mountain trekking. However, victory did not come knocking at the door. “The Royal Tour” Film featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) led rigorous promotional initiative tipped as “Vote Now” campaign, highlighted the tourism appeal to a global audience. Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner, Betrita Lyimo, seized the occasion to invite the world to experience the unparalleled adventure that scaling the Kilimanjaro offers, while stressing the mountain’s ecological and cultural significance as a global heritage.