Despite the drastic fall in the tourism and travel business triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2019, tourism remains the backbone of the national economy and people’s livelihoods in almost all member states of the East African Community (EAC).
Recognizing the strong potential of the tourism sector to generate financial and social benefits for the countries in the Community, the Treaty establishing the EAC emphasizes the importance of a collective approach in developing and promoting the tourism sector. Pursuant to Article 115 of the Treaty, it is the Community’s aspiration to promote the region as a single tourism destination.
To achieve this objective, the EAC Secretariat has prepared a comprehensive five-year strategy, acting as a tool to help member countries market their destinations under a single-destination framework. One of the proposed methods of promotion in this strategy is “influencer marketing,” where celebrities and individuals with renowned personalities use their influence to entice the public to visit tourism hotspots.
In line with these efforts, the Honorable Members of the Standing Committee for Agriculture, Tourism, and Natural Resources (ATHR) of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) embarked on a one-day excursion to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on June 23, 2023. This mission was organized by Honorable Dr. Shogo Mlozi Sedoyeka, a fellow member of ATNR and the founder and CEO of The Fungua Trust, a Non-Governmental Organization.
Within the ATHR Committee, Dr. Shogo also serves as the Chairperson of the Sub-committee for Tourism and Wildlife Management, established under the ATNR Standing Committee. During the introduction briefing with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) Management, Honorable Francoise Uwumukiza, the Chairperson of the ATNR Committee, expressed her appreciation to the Fungua Trust and NCAA for their efforts in making this historic mission possible. She highlighted the practical support such missions provide to lawmakers with an oversight role in the tourism sector, enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
Honorable Uwumukiza commended the unmatched commitment shown by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the NCAA Management in conserving and protecting the wildlife, geological, and cultural heritage resources found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. She acknowledged that the NCA has been designated as a recipient of three World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, an outstanding achievement for a single destination. She attributed this success to the scale of commitment demonstrated by the Tanzanian government.
In her remarks, Dr. Shogo emphasized that this visit aligns with the vision of the Fungua Trust, which aims to improve the livelihoods of the people of East Africa as a whole. She stated that the Trust would strive to organize similar missions in all member states. Dr. Shogo pointed out that despite the combined potential of the East African Community, the number of tourists visiting the region falls short. Referring to statistics published by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), she highlighted that in 2019, the region received close to seven million international tourists, despite some countries in East Africa recording their highest visitor numbers that year.
As the organizer of this event, Dr. Shogo clarified that the motivation behind this initiative lies in the impact the visit would have on the delegates. Being members of the committee responsible for tourism development matters, the visit provided them with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the current developments in the conservation and tourism sectors. It also allowed them to assess the implementation of directives propagated by the Assembly and identify challenges that hinder the sector’s growth.
Dr. Shogo further announced that this mission is part of a series of promotion initiatives planned by the Fungua Trust in the region. The choice of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as the place to launch their project was deliberate, as NCA is a destination that can only be described with superlatives. It attracts holiday makers from all corners of the globe and is conveniently located near the headquarters of the East African Legislative Assembly, ensuring efficiency in the launch.
As the CEO of the Fungua Trust, Dr. Shogo extended her special thanks to the Management of the NCAA and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) for their support in making this historic visit possible. During a press interview, Honorable Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza, a Member of EALA from Rwanda, highlighted the successes of the Government of Tanzania in promoting tourism not only to Tanzania but also to the region at large. She attributed these achievements to the country’s long-term commitment to wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, and cultural heritage.
In his remarks, Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner, Eng. Joshua Mwankunda, mentioned that engaging in strategic missions like this forms part of their institution’s strategy to promote tourism in the area. He emphasized that Members of Parliament, besides their law-making role, attract significant followings on mainstream and social media platforms. Mwankunda added that Ngorongoro’s unique combination of natural and heritage assets allows every visitor to fulfill their desires and expectations at a single destination, an experience difficult to replicate elsewhere. The premium quality of landscapes, habitats, vegetation, the “Big Five” wildlife, and traces of human evolution guarantee an unforgettable experience that Tanzania actively promotes.
During their visit to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the EALA delegation toured the Olduvai Museum, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, the Ngorongoro Crater, and other spots of touristic interest.
The East African Legislative Assembly comprises members from the seven EAC member states, namely Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.