By The guardian reporter
15th December 2011
Outgoing Turkish ambassador to Tanzania Dr Sander Gurbuz (L) receives a certificate of recognition from Tanzania Tourists Board managing director Dr Aloyce Nzuki for his contribution in promoting Tanzanian tourism.
The Turkish government has pledged to continue supporting Tanzania’s tourism sector and is now gearing up to see tourists from the Asian country increase in number in the next few years.
Over 10,000 Turkish tourists have visited Tanzania in the last few years and it is predicted that the figure may double to 200,000 within the next few years.
This was revealed by the out-going Turkish Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Sander Gurbuz at a farewell party organised by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in honour of his contribution to the latter country’s tourism sector.
Ambassador Gurbuz said he was very instrumental in convincing his home country to open up an embassy in Tanzania something that helped to lure more tourists from Turkey to Tanzania.
He noted that his close cooperation with tourism authorities that include TTB and the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) managed to lure more Turkish businessmen into the country thus increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
He added that with his personal efforts, there are now direct flights from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam launched in mid last year that have helped to bring the two countries closer.
“I personally wanted to stay much longer but I have to go back to my home country and engage in a number of other developmental activities. The relationship with the country will not end here though. I and my government will continue to play a big role in Tanzania’s tourism,” he said adding that during his stay in the country, he has managed to learn a lot from the people.
“The country has big tourism potentials. There is no doubt that with a concrete plan to advertise such potentials, the number of tourists eyeing Tanzania will increase simultaneously,” he said.
The envoy was awarded by the board a certificate of recognition for his contribution in developing the country’s tourism sector.
Earlier, the TTB Managing Director Dr Aloyce Nzuki said Ambassador Gurbuz has been so exceptional and dedicated to seeing Tanzania achieve big through the tourism sector.
“With his efforts, the cordial relationships between the two countries have grown. We expect much from our relationship with Turkey since it is one of the developed countries,” he said.
TTB has been instrumental in advertising the country’s tourism potential to the outside world including Turkey that has seen the tourist board win a number of accolades during international showcases.
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