Tanzania: Transform and become market leaders, SMEs told

The government has asked small and medium enterprises (SME) to transform themselves by harnessing power and technology so that they become market leaders.

This was said at weekend in Dar es Salaam by Natural Resources and Tourism minister Ezekiel Maige, at an awards giving ceremony organised by Tanzania Society for Travel Agents (Tasota).

The association named Emirates as airline of the year and best airline in Africa. Other awards went to Swiss Air, KLM, Qatar, Precision Air, Kenya Airways, Oman Air and Zanair.

In the Hotel category, the awards went to Movenpick, Kilimanjaro Kempinski, Serena and Sopa Lodge.

Speaking on behalf of the minister, Tourism director Ibrahim Musa said SMEs play a crucial role in the country’s economic growth.

Most of them have not applied modern technology in their undertakings, hence failing to move forward, he said.

“Time has come for SMEs to change and see how they can use technology more efficiently and become more competent,” he stressed.

Minister Maige also challenged investors in the tourism industry to improve services offered so as to attract more tourists.

For a long time, he said, the government has been encouraging more people to invest in tourism which still has a lot of untapped potentials.

According to him, the ministry has an open door policy which allows stakeholders to visit or air their views for the improvement of the industry.

“We welcome the stakeholders who have ideas to enrich this industry to come forward and assist us so that we make it to grow at good pace,” he said.

For his part, TASOTA chairman Moustafa Khataw said for the past 50 years Tanzania has marked a remarkable growth in various sectors including tourism.

“We have witnessed an increase in flight frequency, new airlines, more hotels opening up in many parts of the country which is a good indicator for economic growth,” he said.

However Khataw said Tanzania needs to do a lot in promoting tourism and local tourism.

"The government and those in tourism should join hands and move the industry forward, hence increase revenue and people's welfare," he said.

According to him, cultural tourism should be promoted by allowing people to start their own business, as is the case in South Africa.

He said regulation must be simple and easy in order not to discourage investors.

Likewise, he urged Tanzanians to create the culture of visiting tourist attractions scattered all over the country.

He said Tasota, in collaboration with the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), is planning to develop untapped tourism potentials in the Southern circuit this year.

Tourism experts are optimistic that cultural tourism resources will serve as a base for Tanzania's tourism industry in future.

Last year Tanzania received 719,030 tourists, fetching just over USD1bn, making the sector the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN