The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) cleared Tanzania as a safe zone for travel following the coronavirus pandemic.

WTTC noted that the clearance is an indication that Tanzania has rightly implemented all safety and containment measures against COVID-19.

This endorsement now gives tourists looking forward to visiting Tanzania confidence that their health and safety remains a top priority as they tour the width and breadth of this Swahili-speaking nation.

A few countries have received the stamp. We can now use this stamp anywhere in the world to promote our attractions and we are confident that as more countries open from lockdown, we will have more tourists,” Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Hamis Kingwangalla told The Citizen.

WTTC developed the safety protocols and guidelines for Tanzania in collaboration with the private sector which has taken a blow occasioned by low business as a result of coronavirus pandemic. Tanzania’s tourism industry was first to resume operation in East Africa. In June, it was operating amid tough regulations to contain the spread of coronavirus.

In other East African countries such as Kenya, the industry resumed a few weeks ago after a ban on international flights was lifted on August 1. WTTC’s endorsement which basically reviewed the existing protocols and safety guidelines imposed earlier on comes at a critical time when thousands of wildebeest migrate from Kenya to the Serengeti. The Wildebeest Migration is a big deal for tourists across the world and precise safety measure in the containment of the virus only stirs confidence whose ripple effect is receiving more of them in the coming months.

Permanent secretary Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Aloyce Nzuki said the stamp is an “assurance that the country is safe.”

Richard Rugimbana, the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) executive Secretary urged the government to continue working with the private sector in growing Tanzania’s economy.