On December 20, 2024, Tanzania will mark a significant milestone in its tourism and conservation journey with the launch of the National Tourism and Conservation Awards. This groundbreaking event will recognize individuals and institutions whose contributions have shaped these vital sectors, with the inaugural awards being presented this year and annually thereafter.
During a press briefing held today, December 18, 2024, in Arusha, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Hassan Abbasi, unveiled details of the awards, describing them as a landmark initiative to honor excellence.
Among the honorees for this year are President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, renowned for her visionary leadership, and the legendary paleoanthropologists Dr. Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey, who discovered the Zinjanthropus Boisei fossil and the Laetoli footprints in Tanzania.
“We will launch 11 honorary and recognition awards, with the first award going to our visionary leader, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her monumental contributions, particularly through The Royal Tour documentary and the Amazing Tanzania campaign, have significantly elevated our tourism and conservation sectors,” stated Dr. Abbasi.
Highlighting the Leakey family’s enduring legacy, Dr. Abbasi noted, “Dr. Leakey and his family will also be honored for their pivotal discoveries and research that have placed Tanzania on the global map as a prime destination for heritage tourism.
Sites like Olduvai Gorge, which attract an average of 20,000 tourists annually, stand as testaments to their groundbreaking work. Though they are no longer with us, their contributions continue to deliver immense value to our country. This awards program will ensure that the efforts of such stakeholders are recognized and celebrated every year.”
The event, set to take place in Arusha, will be graced by Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, as the Guest of Honor.
He will be accompanied by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Pindi Chana, Deputy Minister Dunstan Kitandula, regional commissioners, permanent secretaries, and both local and international tourism stakeholders.
The ceremony will also feature vibrant cultural performances from celebrated Tanzanian artists, including the Weusi group, Frida Amani, and Sholo Mwamba, alongside international acts from India and China.
The awards are designed to be an annual tradition, celebrating the contributions of local and international stakeholders to Tanzania’s tourism and conservation sectors, which currently lead in generating foreign exchange revenue for the nation.
Dr. Abbasi further emphasized that this initiative aligns with global best practices, as several other nations have established similar awards to honor excellence in tourism and conservation.
By doing so, Tanzania aims to inspire continued innovation and dedication among all contributors to these critical sectors.
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