THE government is planning to introduce degree programmes at the National College of Tourism (NCT) to offer travel and tourism courses.
Responding to a supplementary question by Malindi MP Ally Saleh (CUF), who wanted to know why Tanzanian colleges and universities do not offer hospitality courses at degree level.

He argued that offering training at certificate and diploma level alone will not cater for quality services in the sector.
Mr Saleh also demanded to know if the government has any plans to provide hospitality training at managerial level for locals, arguing that at the moment most top posts in the sector are being held by foreigners because Tanzanians lack the required qualifications.
Responding, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Japhet Asunga said NCT is the only government college in Tanzania Mainland under his ministry which offers hospitality and tourism training and is fully accredited with NACTE.
He said the college will soon initiate a programme in collaboration with University of British Columbia of Canada to offer degree courses in hospitality industry.
The aim, he said, is to influence service quality dimension on customer satisfaction in hospitality service for the tourism industry in Tanzania.
Mr Asunga further said that the government will also ensure the provision of managerial courses in the hospitality industry, which is growing at a moderate rate to prepare young and energetic Tanzanians to step in required positions.
In his basic question, Mr Saleh sought to know the number of graduates from NCT for the 2016/2017. The Deputy Minister said for the 2016/2017 through its three campuses— Bustani and Temeke in Dar es Salaam as well as Sakina, Arusha, the college offered training to a total of 329 students.
Out of them, Mr Asunga said, 43 graduated with ordinary diploma in travel and tourism, 15 graduated with ordinary diploma in hospitality operations and 78 graduated with technician certificate in hospitality operations.
He further said that 78 students attended short courses in food production and pastry and bakery, while 79 attended tailor made courses in hospitality and tourism.
He said all courses were competence based education and training. In another development, Mr Asunga said the government will improve infrastructures leading to Kilwa Kisiwani in a bid to attract more tourists.