Tanzania tourist numbers 'to double'

Animal safaris are a big attraction in Tanzania

From the picture postcard views of Mount Kilimanjaro to the wildlife of the Serengeti, Tanzania has no trouble selling its attractions.

The tourism industry is a key part of the country's economy, employing thousands of people, and worth $725m in 2001.

Last year, 500,000 holidaymakers visited the country and if Tanzania's president Benjamin Mkapa gets his way that number will double in 10 years.

Private investment

Richard Rugimbana, the executive secretary of the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania, told the BBC's World Business Report that private investment in the former state owned hotels has worked well.

Speaking at a tourism forum in Arusha in the north of the country, he said that most hotels had now passed into private hands.

Mr Mkapa meanwhile, has stressed that promotion of the country's tourism industry will remain among his government's top economic priorities.

Tourism had been increasing significantly, but he blamed the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States for its current decline.

Numbers increase

The number of tourists visiting the East African country had grown by about 12% annually from 1996 - a growth rate under which the government will meet its target of attracting 1 million tourists a year by 2010.

Tourism earnings have accounted for 12-16% of the country's economic output over the last five years.

The imminent purchase by South African Airlines of a stake in Air Tanzania, and development of Dar es Salaam airport as an international hub, is seen as supporting the tourism drive.

Tanzania draws tourists mainly from Europe and North America, although there has been a steady increase in recent years in the number coming South Korea and Japan.