In New York City for the first time in her position as Tanzania Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism and as President of Africa Travel Association, Hon. Mwangunga led a high level tourism delegation which included government officials and private sector Africa tour operators and hoteliers. The visit was timed to coincide with his participation in the United Nations General Assembly of H.E. Jackaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. .

Accompanying the Hon. Minister were Ms. Blandina Nyoni (Permanent Secretary) Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism (MNRT) ; Ms.Mary Mmari, Director of Tourism, MNRT; Mr. Julius Kibebe, Personal Assistant to the Minister; Mr. Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB); Mr. Geoffrey Meena, Marketing Manager, TTB; Mr. Gerald Bigurube, Director General Tanzania National Parks; Mr. Paschal Shelutete, Tanzania National Parks; Mr. Bernard Murunya, Acting Chief Conservator, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA); and Mr. Steven Lelo, Tourism Manager Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. They were joined by H.E.Ombeni Y. Sefue, Ambassador to the U.S. of the United Republic of Tanzania, and H.E.Dr. Augustine Mahiga, Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Hon. Mwangunga and her delegation met with key representatives of the American Tourism Society (ATS), the Africa Travel Association (ATA), SKAL, and the U.S. Tour Operators’ Association (USTOA). Also on the agenda was a meeting with the American Association of University Women. And the Minister spoke at the ATA Third Annual Presidential Forum held at New York University, and participated in the National Geographic Conservation Roundtable.

Meetings Highlight: The Conservation Roundtable

Hosted and moderated by Fran Farrell of National Geographic Adventure Magazine a discussion of conservation challenges and sustainability within the context of increased tourism.TANAPA and NCAA illustrated how well they have met these challenges, illustrating with case studies about community outreach, dealing with poaching, creating eco-friendly lodges, and other examples. Participants included representatives of the Hon. Minister’s Delegation, the Explorers Club, National Geographic Adventure, Wild Life Conservation Society and the Rainforest Alliance.

The travel industry meetings and Phase II TV advertising campaign comes at a time when marketing is credited with helping increase projected tourism income from the U.S. to $1.35 billion USD in 2009, up from a projected $1.2 billion USD in 2008. Mwangunga and her delegates arrived in the United States at a time when Americans have become the Number One tourism market in Tanzania, and Hon. Mwangunga plans to keep the momentum growing. “For the first time,” the Minister continued, “visitors from the U.S. reached a record high of 68, 379 in visits to Mainland Tanzania and the Spice Islands of Zanzibar. This growth is unprecedented and we look forward to a continuing expansion of the sector.”

Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director TTB added: “Tanzania has always stressed the quality of the safari experience and conservation of land and wildlife over mass tourism. As the largest country in East Africa, we can accommodate increased numbers of travelers and still maintain our high standards of ecological conservation.”

About Tanzania

Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism, with approximately 25 % of the land protected by the Government. It boasts 15 National Parks and 32 game reserves. It is the home of the tallest mountain in Africa, the legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti, named in October, 2006, the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and Good Morning America; the world acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 8th Wonder of the World; Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind: the Selous, the world’s largest game reserve; Ruaha, now the largest National Park in Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most important for tourism, the Tanzanian people are warm and friendly, speak English, although Kiswahili is the national language, and the country is an oasis of peace and stability with a democratic and stable government.

For more information about Tanzania visit www.tanzaniatouristboard.com.