TASOTA Urges Tanzanian Travel Industry to Embrace Technology for Sustainable Growth.The Tanzania Association of Travel Agents (TASOTA) has emphasized the importance of adopting innovative technologies to protect the travel industry from disruptions such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at a travel convention and annual general meeting (AGM) in Dar es Salaam, TASOTA Chairperson Agnes Rwegasira called on industry stakeholders to collaborate with government and private agencies to promote domestic and international tourism in line with the country’s policies.
The event brought together key players from the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors for discussions on East African countries’ collaboration to enhance tourism, address policy and infrastructure challenges, and foster sustainable development. The meeting featured panel discussions on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) new distribution capability protocol, which stakeholders say is revolutionizing airline services by enabling personalized offers and improving financial systems.
Discussions focused on how to capitalize on Tanzania’s leisure tourism potential with luxury offerings, innovative experiences, and international partnerships while promoting sustainable tourism practices. Rwegasira explained that conversations highlighted the need to expand domestic air connectivity, address challenges in remote areas, and make air travel more accessible and sustainable across the country.
David Kihenzile, the Transport deputy minister, stressed that the growth of the travel and tourism sector must align with sustainability, emphasizing that environmental considerations should be integral to business strategies, not an afterthought. He urged industry stakeholders to lead by example by adopting sustainable practices such as initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and investing in eco-friendly infrastructure and responsible tourism.
The TASOTA leadership, government representatives, IATA industry experts, and regional travel executives offered valuable insights into the future of local air travel and the Southern Africa region. The meeting aimed to facilitate crucial deliberations, networking, and collaboration to shape the future of the local travel industry.