Tanzania's tourism sector is experiencing a notable resurgence, marking a significant turnaround almost four years following the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent statistics from the Bank of Tanzania paint a promising picture, showcasing a remarkable increase in earnings, with revenues soaring from $1.95 billion in July 2022 to an impressive $2.99 billion in July 2023.
The surge in earnings is mirrored by a substantial 33% rise in service receipts, totaling $5.49 billion in July 2023 compared to $4.12 billion in the preceding year, as reported by the Bank of Tanzania. This revival in the tourism industry, coupled with enhanced revenues from gold, has catapulted Tanzania's service earnings to exceed $5 billion for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone.
In 2019, Tanzania's tourism sector raked in approximately $2.52 billion. However, by December 2020, earnings had plummeted drastically to a mere $1 billion. During this challenging period, gold emerged as the primary foreign exchange earner for the country, generating $2.958 billion in December 2020.
A notable indicator of the tourism sector's recovery is the substantial 37.2% increase in foreign arrivals, reaching an unprecedented total of 1,658,043 visitors throughout the year—a historic peak. This surge eclipses the previous record set in 2019 when Tanzania welcomed 1,527,230 tourists, earning $2.5 billion in tourism revenue.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Europe and the United States continue to serve as primary markets for tourists visiting Tanzania for leisure and holiday purposes. This resurgence in visitor arrivals underscores Tanzania's resilience and attractiveness as a premier tourist destination, signaling a promising trajectory for the country's tourism industry.
