Tanzania urged to prioritise religious tourism
Tanzania’s National Assembly Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu has called for urgent development of religious tourism during this week’s Vision 2050 debate, urging the government to position sites linked to the country’s religious heritage as major attractions. Citing locations including Peramiho, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Kilwa and Zanzibar, he said stronger promotion could lift arrivals significantly, pointing to Egypt’s 19 million religious tourists as a benchmark and suggesting Tanzania could attract more than four million visitors a year if the sector is prioritised.
Zungu pressed ministries to act proactively, develop strategies around Christian and Islamic heritage, and mobilise private investment. Responding to MPs, Planning and Investment state minister Prof Kitila Mkumbo said long‑term plans require a “business unusual” approach, with the government shifting from strict regulation to enabling private sector participation, empowering local authorities, and advancing public–private partnerships coordinated by the Ministry of Finance.
Source: IPP Media
