Tanzania Makes Big Splash at LTE

Joe Pike with Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga, minister of natural resources and tourism for the United Republic of Tanzania

In its first year at Luxury Travel Expo, the African destination of Tanzania was a big hit among travel advisors. We chatted with Shamsa Selengia Mwangunga, minister of natural resources and tourism for the United Republic of Tanzania, and learned that U.S. arrivals to the country are booming off the charts. In fact, just two years ago the U.S. became Tanzania’s number-one market, overtaking Europe. Last year alone, U.S. arrivals jumped from 58,341 to 66,953. Part of the reason for the increase is the destination’s successful specialist program offered through Travel Agent University. In just two years of operation, the program has seen roughly 1,250 graduating agents.

“Agents keep asking about the destination because there is so much interest in Tanzania,” Mwangunga said. “This show is something we will continue to do for years to come. It is really teaching agents that there is a lot of luxury to be sold in Tanzania.”