Government, partners seek to raise USD300m for tourism upgrade in Southern Circuit

By Felix Andrew

Katavi national park

The government has convened a meeting with development partners to discuss development of Southern circuit of Ruaha, Katavi national parks and Selous Game Reserve that would enable to increase number of tourists visiting the area.

 

This was announced by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Lazaro Nyalandu when speaking to the Members of Press who visited the Selous Game Reserve recently.

 

He said already the government has prepared a project document to be presented during the meeting to be held in Dar es Salaam on Thursday this week.

 

The meeting would involve officials of World Bank, United States of America, German and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Explaining further, he said the project of upgrading tourism attractions along the Southern circuit will cost USD300m.

 

 Investment is needed at the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha and Katavi national parks. Despite their economic potentials, the three tourist sites suffer limited investment, we will make sure it grows further,” he said. 

 However, he cited poor infrastructure as a stumbling block to tourism growth in the southern circuit despite abundant natural attractions found there.

 

Unlike the northern circuit, the southern zone has no five star hotels to cater for tourists. 

 

In order to make the southern zone more attractive to local and international tourists, tourism stakeholders are urging the private sector to put up the needed infrastructures.

 

The national parks and game reserves of the Southern Safari Circuit are the hidden treasures of Tanzania’s natural heritage. 

 

The parks are enormous, with some of the highest concentrations of animals anywhere in Africa and a spectacular diversity of wildlife.