The 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals a remarkable surge in Tanzania’s travel and tourism industry. In 2023, the sector contributed a record TZS 18.6 trillion to the national GDP, marking a 4% increase from the 2019 peak and accounting for 9.5% of the total economic output. This growth is fueled by unprecedented levels of both international and domestic visitor expenditures, with 2023 seeing TZS 8 trillion and TZS 3.7 trillion respectively, surpassing 2019 figures by 11.1% and 12.8%.
The tourism sector’s growth is also reflected in its employment figures. In 2023, the sector employed over 1.4 million people, although this is still 7.4% lower than the peak in 2019. Looking ahead, the WTTC forecasts continued growth, with the sector’s economic contribution expected to hit TZS 20.3 trillion, nearly 10% of Tanzania’s GDP, in 2024. Spending by international visitors is projected to increase by 8.5% to TZS 8.7 trillion, with domestic spending expected to exceed TZS 3.9 trillion. The number of jobs in travel and tourism is predicted to surpass 1.5 million this year, further cementing the sector’s role as a key employment driver in Tanzania.
The positive trend is expected to continue in the long term. By 2034, the industry is anticipated to expand significantly to TZS 30.9 trillion and is expected to support approximately 2.25 million jobs, or nearly one in every 15 workers in Tanzania.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, expressed her optimism about Tanzania’s tourism sector’s growth, saying: “Tanzania’s Travel & Tourism sector is growing from strength to strength, contributing record numbers to the national economy. “This underscores the sector’s crucial role in driving economic development and job creation, with projections indicating continued growth and increased employment over the coming years.”
