Tourism growth boosts earnings

DODOMA: TOURISM sector strengthened its contribution to the economy as rising international visitor numbers boosted travel earnings and helped drive growth in the country’s service exports, according to the latest Bank of Tanzania (BoT) data.

International tourist arrivals increased by 5.9 per cent to 2.3 million in a year ending in June from 2.2 million recorded in the same period last year, supporting higher spending on accommodation, transport, hospitality and other tourismrelated services.

The increase in visitors lifted travel receipts by 9.5 per cent to 4.42 billion US dollars during the period, the BoT said in its latest Monthly Economic Review Report.

Overall service receipts rose by 14.2 per cent to 8.05 billion US dollars from 7.05 billion US dollars, supported mainly by stronger performance in the travel and transport sectors.

Transport service earnings also recorded significant growth, rising by 16 per cent to 3.15 billion US dollars, driven largely by increased freight earnings from transit cargo.

The central bank said the performance reflects Tanzania’s growing role as a regional trade and logistics hub, with transport infrastructure supporting commercial links between neighbouring countries.

Despite the strong year-onyear performance, service receipts remained relatively stable on a monthly basis, with earnings in May this year reaching 647.5 million US dollars, almost unchanged from the same month a year earlier.

The latest figures reinforce the importance of tourism and transport as major sources of foreign exchange earnings and key contributors to economic growth.

While tabling the 2026/2027 budget estimates in Parliament last month in Dodoma, Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Dr Ashatu Kijaji said the sector recorded strong growth in 2025, with Tanzania welcoming 5.9 million visitors, up 10.7 per cent from 5.3 million visitors recorded in 2024.

She said the increase was driven by growth in both international and domestic tourism, reflecting stronger demand for Tanzania’s wildlife, beach and cultural attractions.

International tourist arrivals increased by 7.1 per cent to 2.3 million in 2025 from 2.2 million the previous year, while domestic tourism expanded by 13.1 per cent to 3.6 million visitors from 3.2 million in 2024.

Tanzania’s tourism performance has also gained international recognition. According to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, the country ranked 11th globally in 2025 for growth in international tourist arrivals compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019, recording a 51 per cent increase over the period.

The country ranked sixth among destinations in Africa and the Middle East for international arrival growth compared with 2019, highlighting the continued recovery and expansion of the tourism industry following the Covid-19 disruption.

The growth has been supported by government efforts to improve tourism infrastructure, strengthen destination marketing and promote Tanzania’s natural and cultural attractions in key international markets.

The government has also prioritised expanding tourism opportunities beyond traditional destinations by promoting new attractions and improving connectivity to support longer visitor stays and increased spending.

With tourism and transport sectors generating rising foreign exchange earnings, Tanzania is positioning these industries as key pillars of economic resilience, investment attraction and sustainable growth.

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