By James Lanka , The Guardian
IN an effort to showcase Tanzania's tourism destinations globally, Macon Dunnagan, the country's Goodwill Ambassador for tourism in the USA, is set to lead his
expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro next month, joining him will be a group of fellow tourists from the US.During his 51 climbs earlier this year, Dunnagan fell short of reaching the summit and has now returned for his 52nd attempt to maintain his record on this special expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Tanzania tourism emissary in the US commended the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) for their role in preserving and conserving the country's natural resources crucial to tourism.
In his 50th climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Dunnagan led a group of American tourists on a unique six-day expedition along the Rongai route starting in early June of this year.
Speaking exclusively with this journalist, Dunnagan revealed that the key to his success in special mountain expeditions in Tanzania lies in the unwavering support of his wife, Kimberley Dunnagan, as well as the team from ZARA Tours.
In 2021, Dunnagan successfully summited Mount Meru for the first time, reaching its highest peak, the Meru summit, which stands at 4562 meters above sea level, before embarking on his 46th climb up Mount Kilimanjaro for a charitable cause.
During his Mount Meru climb, which is located within Arusha National Park, Dunnagan also visited other tourism destinations within the park, including Little Serengeti and Momella Lakes, to promote Tanzania's tourism attractions.
Additionally, Dunnagan mentioned that the USA will experience a solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, with more than 30 million Americans residing beneath the eclipse's path set to witness the total eclipse.
One estimate suggests that the eclipse generated a staggering USD$6 billion in economic activity, prompting brands to launch marketing campaigns and special product offerings. Wireless providers also anticipated a surge in cell phone usage as customers geared up for the event. Dunnagan noted that preparations for the 2024 eclipse began shortly after the 2017 Eclipse.
Describing the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, also known as the Great North American Eclipse, Dunnagan explained that it was a total solar eclipse visible across a band stretching from Mexico to Canada and traversing the contiguous United States.
Dunnagan elaborated that during a total solar eclipse, the moon appears nearly the same size as the sun, resulting in a few minutes of totality where the moon entirely blocks the sun's disk, allowing the stunning view of the sun's corona with the naked eye.
Highlighting the upcoming eclipse in Tanzania and, notably, Zanzibar on May 21, 2031, which is only seven years and one month away, Dunnagan emphasized the importance of early planning to accommodate the influx of tourists and seize the opportunity to showcase Tanzania and Zanzibar to the global audience.
He commended on the production of the Royal Tour documentary by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, noting the positive impact it has had on promoting Tanzania's tourism destinations worldwide. He emphasized that the president's decision to create the film was wise, as it is expected to attract more investment, leading to the creation of additional job opportunities.
Prior to his official marriage in the US, the Goodwill Ambassador proposed to his wife Kim Brown at Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) several years ago. The couple then celebrated their engagement by embarking on a special expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route.
Having summited Mount Kilimanjaro an impressive 50 times, Dunnagan visits Tanzania two or three times a year, leading groups of tourists on mountain climbs and excursions to various tourism destinations in Tanzania, including the renowned Serengeti National Park (SENAPA).
Dunnagan further elaborated on his close connection with Mount Kilimanjaro, has authored numerous books highlighting the country's appealing tourism destinations. His renowned book, "Sons of Kilimanjaro," played a significant role in his appointment by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) as a Goodwill Ambassador for tourism in his home country.
No comments :
Post a Comment