DAR ES SALAAM: THE recent high-profile tourism summit concluded successfully, achieving multiple key objectives, one of which include to fostering productive dialogue between tourism stakeholders and key government agencies.
Organised by the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism as well as EnviroSasa, the summit was themed “Blue & Green: Making the Most of Tanzania’s Coast and Hinterland Ecosystems.”
The summit brought together nearly 100 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, with the goal of establishing a unified framework to engage relevant government entities, such as the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, as well as investors and local communities.
“One of the summit’s major accomplishments was fostering productive dialogue between tourism stakeholders and key government agencies,” said TCT CEO Ms. Lathifa Sykes.
A key highlight was the active engagement of the Tanzania Hunting Operators Association (TAHOA) with the Ministry of Finance’s Tax Force.
TAHOA Chairman Michel Mantheakis expressed satisfaction after a nearly three-hour discussion with Task Force and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) officials about the negative impact of VAT on the hunting industry. The summit facilitated discussions between the tax force and Dar es Salaam-based hotels regarding service levies imposed by local authorities.
This dialogue underscored the summit’s role in connecting tourism stakeholders with the TRA through a Business Clinic, where participants engaged in constructive conversations to resolve pressing issues.
Chief Financial Officer of Flightlink, Ms Sakina Mussa, praised the summit for establishing meaningful dialogue between tourism businesses and the TRA. She acknowledged the TRA’s willingness to listen to business concerns, which included issues related to tax penalties and returns.
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TRA officials assured participants that they were open to waiver requests for penalties and were working on developing an integrated system for tax return processes. Ms Mussa described the summit as a strategic initiative, emphasising its role in fostering a cooperative environment for tourism stakeholders to engage with government agencies.
TRA Auditing Manager, Mr Robert Mhanzi commended the summit as an ideal platform for engaging with investors and understanding their priorities within the tourism industry.
“Our current mission is to connect with customers, actively listen to their concerns, and assess their viewpoints constructively. This is part of our broader strategy to foster lasting partnerships with key players in tourism and hospitality,” Mr Mhanzi said.
The Assistant Director of Tourism at Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Phillip Chitaunga, also lauded TCT’s efforts in organising the summit.
He emphasised the platform’s critical role in formulating effective strategies to unlock the tourism potential of Tanzania’s coastal areas. Mr Chitaunga further said that the summit’s resolution was to create a unified framework that brings together all industry stakeholders to unlock the potential of the blue and green economies in the coastal region.
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