Football fans in the United States and throughout the world will get a glimpse of destination Tanzania on flashy electronic billboards at stadia during the next season.

Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB)

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Khamis Kagasheki told the National Assembly here while presenting his ministry’s 2012/13 budget estimates that Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has sealed a deal with Seattle Sounders of the US whereby adverts luring American and other foreign tourists to the country will be beamed at stadia.

“In addition to continuing advertising with British Premier League, the Board will also start advertising our tourist attractions with America Professional Football League,” Kagasheki told the House.

He said in collaboration with Tanzania Chamber of Tourism, TTB will implement a five-year Tanzania Destination Marketing Strategy covering 2012/13 to 2016/17 season. “This strategy targets advertising of major markets with the highest potential of bringing us more tourists,” Kagasheki noted.

The Board is also expected to work with TCT to start cultural tourism sensitization among various groups in Kagera, Lindi, Mbeya, Mwanza and Mtwara and increase the number of such projects from 41 to 50 during the year. “The Board will also organize Tanzania Utalii Cultural Festival to mobilize and promote cultural tourism among potential tourists,” he said.

TTB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Washington – based Seattle Soccer LLC (SSL) in Dar es Salaam mid last month. The inauguration of the campaign, which is jointly funded by the TTB, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), took place at Renton in the US at a ceremony also attended by Kagasheki (MP) who led the country’s delegation.

According to the MoU, Tanzania’s tourist attractions including National Parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, culture, beaches and Historical sites, will be displayed during major league soccer events of the season to attract more tourists from the US market.

TTB also renewed its campaign contract with Lantech Service Limited of London to carry over the tourism promotion activity to the next English Premier League kicking off mid this month and runs through May 2013.

By FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Tanzania Daily News

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