The country’s catchphrase of Tanzania unforgettable has got a boost, thanks to the tour operators and police in Arusha for rolling out an ambitious training package for tour drivers in a bid to offer tourists hustle free trips.
The first batch of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and Arusha Regional Traffic Police Office initiated refresher course currently underway at Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha composed of 400 tour drivers.
TATO CEO, Mr Sirili Akko said that they have conceived an idea of refresher course for tour drivers as part of their efforts to roll out a red carpet for massive tourists in the forthcoming tourism peak season.
“We expect to receive substantial traffic of tourists from June, owing to the impact of President Dr. Samia’s Royal Tour film. So we are equipping our tour drivers to get ready to handle our dearest visitors with a highest level of professionalism to surpass their expectations” Mr. Akko noted.
Hobbled by a brutal wave of Coronavirus, tourism is a money-spinning industry in Tanzania as it creates 1.3 million decent jobs, generates $2.6 billion annually, equivalent to 18 as well as 30 percent of the country’s GDP and export receipts respectively.
TATO Chairman, Mr Wilbard Chambulo says his association has been working around the clock, on behalf of its 300-plus members, to bring dozens of the travel agents, as part of its painstaking efforts to reboot the multi-billion-dollar industry to leapfrog other economic sectors, recover thousands of lost jobs and generate revenue for the economy.
“TATO has been investing heavily in terms of time, skills, and funds to position Tanzania as a safe and luxury destination in its high-spirited plot to woo high-end travellers in the country through targeted marketing strategies in several key markets” Mr Chambulo noted.
Indeed, Allied Market Research findings show that global luxury tourism market will reach $1.2 trillion in the 2021-2027 period with an a compound annual growth ratio of 11.1 percent.
With its members controlling over 80 percent of Tanzania’s tourism market share, TATO is a leading advocacy agency for the tourism industry, earning roughly $2.6 billion per year for the economy.
TATO also plays a role in connecting businesses and individuals within the trade to facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, trade and networking along the industry value chain.
The training is also an apt platform among the tour drivers and traffic police to share best practices and experiences in a bid to build mutual trust and chart out their strategy of working together in future for the betterment of Tanzania tourism destination.
Flagging off the noble training, the Arusha Regional Traffic Police Officer (RTO) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zauda Mohamed said they saw the need to brush-up the tour drivers to enhance service for tourists.
“This is part of strings of plans to compliment our President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts in promoting tourism through the Royal Tour Film,” said a soft-spoken Ms. Mohamed.
She showered praises to TATO for leading the way, imploring other tourism related organizations to replicate the idea across the country in order to improve service provision for treasured tourists who visit the country.
Road safety law and regulations compliance aside, Ms Mohamed said the tour drivers are also trained on patriotism, how to build and maintain relationship with police in order to enhance safety and security for tourists.
The technical training on driving profesion is offered by the experts from the public renowned institution, the Arusha Technical College (ATC).
ATC Deputy Rector administering academics, research and consultancy, Dr. Yusuph Mhando said the refresher course for tour drivers is timely as the country bracing up to welcome massive tourists after the President Dr. Samia’s effective Royal Tour film.
CAPTION; A section of tour drivers attending a refresher course at Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.
