Tanzania’s tourism sector is experiencing a triumphant resurgence, marking an impressive recovery after facing adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the Bank of Tanzania heralds a remarkable comeback, showcasing a significant boost in revenues compared to previous years.
The statistics released by the Bank of Tanzania for July 2023 underscore the sector’s resurgence, demonstrating a substantial increase in tourism revenue. In July 2023, Tanzania’s tourism sector contributed a staggering $2.99 billion to foreign exchange earnings, surging from $1.95 billion in July 2022.
The Bank of Tanzania further reported a remarkable 33% surge in service receipts, reaching $5.49 billion in July 2023, compared to $4.12 billion in the corresponding period last year. This resurgence in tourism, coupled with amplified earnings from gold exports, has propelled Tanzania’s service earnings to soar beyond $5 billion for the first time in its history.
The tourism sector, which faced a significant downturn during the pandemic, witnessed a sharp decline in earnings, plummeting from approximately $2.52 billion in 2019 to merely $1 billion by December 2020. Gold emerged as the primary foreign exchange earner during this challenging period, generating $2.958 billion in December 2020.
However, the recent revival in tourism is highlighted by a remarkable 37.2% upsurge in foreign arrivals, reaching a record-breaking 1,658,043 visitors over the year—a historic high for Tanzania’s tourism industry. Notably, the previous record for tourism earnings in the country stood at $2.5 billion in 2019, with 1,527,230 tourists visiting the nation.
European and American travellers remain the primary sources of tourism in Tanzania, as affirmed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The allure of Tanzania for leisure and holiday experiences continues to draw substantial numbers of visitors from these regions, signalling a promising rebound for the country’s tourism sector.
