FREE TRIP WEEKLY / THE BEIJING NEWS INTERVIEW WITH AMBASSADOR OMAR R. MAPURI OF TANZANIA
IN BEIJING 16 FEBRUARY 2007
Question: Our newspaper reported about the tour situation of South Africa and Kenya. However, Tanzania is still a strange place to both our tourists and media. Therefore, what is the main difference between Tanzania and South Africa from the resource of traveling
Answer: Tanzania may not be very much known to your readers for the moment, but it is a destination to an ever increasing number of foreign tourists, especially Europeans, Americans, Japanese and even South Africans. Tanzanian tourism sector grows at an annual rate of about 8.0%, a reflection of tourist acknowledgement of the beauty of our tourist attractions and ever improving services. Also, in the past, our tourist promotion drive had not targeted the Chinese market. But now, after learning that Chinese are increasingly interested in traveling as tourists as they become more prosperous, we have started in earnest to promote our tourism attractions in China. I wish to assure you that with the cooperation of the media, including your paper, more and more Chinese will know about Tanzania.
Regarding the difference between Tanzanian tourism attractions and those of South Africa and other countries, I can only say that every country has its own attractions. Tanzania boasts of the following unique spectacular attractions that are found nowhere else on Earth.
- The magnificent Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and which is most attractive to view and friendly to climb.
- The great Serengeti National Park is in Tanzania. It is one of the biggest national parks in Africa and offers the largest and most spectacular animal migration on Earth. It has just been named the Seventh New Wonder of the World by ABC’s Good Morning America and USA Today.
- The Ngorongoro (Crater) Conservation Area is the most fascinating spectacle of natural interaction between people, animals, plants and the environment that has been preserved and maintained in a way which has not been possible in many parts of Africa. Within the confinement of the walls of the huge caldera (collapsed volcano), man (the Maasai), cattle (belonging the Masaai) and wildlife (both predators and grazers) live together without harm or destroying each other’s habitats. Although no fences or boundaries border the crater walls thus allowing free entry or exit of animals, many of the animals stay for the plentiful water and grazing available on the floor of the crater throughout the year. It is because of this phenomenon that the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is referred to as a natural zoo. Because of its rare and unique fascination, this tourist attraction found only in Tanzania is also called the “Eden of Africa” and is a very strong contender for the Eighth New Wonder of the World status.
- Zanzibar, the fabled spice islands with captivating pristine white sandy beaches, soothing breezes and rare exotic spices are in Tanzania. Strategically located off the East African coast, they store the whole history of the region. You come to Zanzibar and see the relics of the dreaded 19th century slave trade in East Africa, including the former slave market itself. You will hear tales of the ordeals slaves underwent and stories on how the European explorers like David Livingstone set their missions from Zanzibar to the African hinterland where they discovered the great lakes, the source of the Nile, the Victoria Falls, the Kilimanjaro etc. In the Stone Town, a UNESCO world hertage site, you will appreciate Swahili culture and oriental architecture, testimony of Arab and Indian influence. On the leisure side, you will enjoy the pristine undestroyed beaches and even play with dolphins in their natural environment.
- The Olduvai Gorge, home to Homo habilis, modern man’s ancestor who lived about 2 millions years ago and earlier hominids who lived more than 3.5 million years ago, is found only in Tanzania.
- Lake Victoria, second largest and Lake Tanganyika, second deepest in the World are in Tanzania.
- The list of tourist attractions unique to Tanzania is much longer and cannot be exhausted in an interview like this one.
Question: In the journey of the first group it shows that there are lots of recommendations about wild animals which are worth seeing. What we intend to know is that if a person, who doesn’t like animals, also intends to travel to Tanzania, what else sights are worth seeing for him. Also, what is the best season for people to travel to Tanzania
Answer: Going through the itinerary of the group of Chinese tourists that leaves for Tanzania today, you will find that apart from animal viewing, the tourists will have the opportunity to sample East African history and the Swahili 文化 in the Zanzibar stone town, which is a World cultural heritage site declared by UNESCO. They will also enjoy beautiful coastal sceneries and relax along captivating pristine beaches. On the mainland, they will surely view Mount Kilimanjaro while in Moshi and explore the remains of modern man’s ancestor at the Olduvai Gorge. They will also appreciate Maasai people culture and enjoy Tanzanian traditional dances and taste Tanzanian cuisines.
In short, what I can assure you is that Tanzania offers much more than animals and can cater for a wide variety of tourists’ interests. Following are a few examples:
- Adventure: Climb 乞力马扎罗山, or game hunting in game reserves
- Archiology: Olduvai Gorge
- 历史: Zanzibar, Bagamoyo,Kigoma and
the exploration and slave routes.
- Leisure: Zanzibar, Bagamoyo and several picturesque spots along the coast of mainland Tanzania. Zanzibar has become a paradise destination for weddings and honeymoons.
- Fan: Zanzibar offers memorable experiences in scuba diving and playing with dolphins in their natural environment.
- 文化 Explore a variety of cultures ranging from the uniquely traditional Maasai to the much mixed Swahili: their way of life, wearing and food.
- Art: Don’t miss the original Tinga Tinga paintings invented in Tanzania, the rare talent in the Makonde wood sculpture (samples of which are displayed at the Changchun International Sculpture Centre) and the legendary Zanzibar doors and chests.
As for the best season to visit Tanzania, experience shows that the tourist peak season coincides with Winter in Europe. This is the time many Europeans wish to take refuge from the chill in their countries and spend their holidays in the splendeour of Tanzania. Otherwise many of the tourist sites in Tanzania are all weather. However, those visiting Serengeti at this time of the year like the Chinese tourists we are seeing off tonight, have the rare opportunity of witnessing the feature of the calving season when animals are seen with their newly born babies.
Question: How to guarantee the safety of sightseers while they are watching migration of wild animals
Answer: Sightseers in national parks are always accompanied by experienced guides in well protected vans to ensure their safety. No incident is known in the recent past of a tourist being harmed by wild animal.
Question: Migration of wild animals is strong seasonal, therefore, is there any possibility that the regular groups, which travel to Tanzania, will be limited according to this situation
Answer: The animal migration in the Serengeti is a cyclical continuous phenomenon. You can view the herds at any given time of the year, only the sites of good viewing change in accordance with where the animals are at a given time. The cycle goes as follows:
- December – May (Period of long rains and plentiful food)
- Animals scattered in the southern plains of the Serengeti.
- Between December and January calving (bearing of baby animals) takes place.
- Towards the end of May, the animals gather in large herds ready for migration.
Good Viewing: Aound Lake Ndutu and Naabi Hill; area between Ngorongoro and Seronera.
- May – June (Migration Northward begins)
- Long columns of animals moving westwards and northwards.
- Main mating season.
Good Viewing: Simiyu and Mbalangeti rivers, Seronera Valley.
- July – October Dry Season)
- Animals stay in western corridor and mainly in the wooded northern section of the Serengeti National Park.
Good Viewing: North – west of Seronera and around Lobo.
- November – December (Period of long rains and plentiful food returns)
- Movement south from the western corridor and northern Serengeti begins.
- By December, animals have reached the short plains of southern Serengeti, and another cycle begins.
Good Viewing: Seronera and Ndutu areas.
Question: How about the visa policy of Tanzania How can our tourist travel to Tanzania by budget traveling
Answer: For the convenience of the tourists themselves, we issue visas on advice of a recognized local Tanzanian tour operator or a Chinese tour operator who is organizing the travel. We have heard some complaints that this arrangement does not very much suit individuals who would like to go to Tanzania as tourists on their own without the care of tour operators. We are working on the complaints and we will resolve the matter in the shortest time possible.
Question: Traveling security is another problem that our tourists are concerned about, therefore, can we know how is the security situation in Tanzania including political security, social security and food sanitation
Answer: These concerns are totally misplaced and are unwarranted. Tanzania is known all over the world to be Africa’s shining example of peace, stability and harmony. Since independence, Tanzania has been looked to in brokering peace in other African countries that find themselves in political conflicts. Tanzania’s stability manifests itself in the way the country has carried out four leadership successions in peace and harmony at times when this phenomenon was rare in Africa. Our tourist sites are secure and completely free of crime, and that record is acknowledged everywhere in our tourist sources.
Regarding sanitation including that of food, Tanzania, through the Tanzania Tourist Board has just won an international award: The Golden Europe Award for Quality and Commercial Prestige. That tells all. OMAC, the very influential international journal has undertaken to advertise Tanzania’s tourism in recognition of international standard service offered. So, I assure Chinese tourists of their security and the best of enjoyment and peace of mind while in Tanzania.
Question: Lots of tourists will obtain some information from relevant travel handbook, but we can only obtain little official information about Tanzania from Chinese websites. Will this situation be improved in the future
Answer: Yes indeed. The situation will drastically improve in about two month’s time. We are now in the process of redesigning our 大使馆 website so that all kinds of official information about Tanzania will be available on a click.
Question: Are local cicerones from Asia or some other areas How about service to Chinese
Answer: All cicerones (tour guides) are Tanzanians. English is the main language used in the explanations, but owing to significant numbers of tourists from Germany and Italy, some guides have been trained to provide the service in German and Italian. I hope in the future as the number of Chinese tourists is going to increase, service in Chinese will also be provided.
Question: Can we be recommended some typical delicious food of Tanzania
Answer: Spicy pilau and birian are the most celebrated delicacies in special occasions like weddings and festivals. You never miss them on hotel menus alongside other local favourates like ugali, several kinds of banana based cuisines etc. In Zanzibar you may not miss the charcoal grilled octopus, pweza.
Question: Can you talk about the cooperation model of domestic travel agency After the first group, whether or not more and more domestic travel agency will undertake the operation of traveling to Tanzania
Answer: During the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit that took place in Beijing November last year, a few Tanzanian travel agents and tour operators came to China and took the opportunity to make contacts with their Chinese counterparts and even forge working relations with them. The cooperation between Mandarin International Tours Company Limited of China and Takins Holidays Tours and Safaris Ltd. of Tanzania in organizing the trip of this first group of Chinese tourists is a result of such established contacts. I am confident more are forthcoming. We at the embassy will continue the match making exercise so as to realize the desired results.
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