Tanzania to Promote Cultural Tourism

cultural tourism, also known as culture tourism, is the subset of tourism concerned with a country or region's culture. It has all got to do, specifically, with the lifestyle of the people in specific geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life. According to the definition, cultural tourism also includes tourism in urban areas, particularly historic or large cities and their cultural facilities such as museums and theatres.

Cultural tourism is practiced all over the world as visitors and tourists are introduced to the cultures and traditions of the indigenous people in their various tribal locations. In South Africa, as an example, tour and travel agents there could conduct visitors on a tour of villages to sample the rural surroundings, including architecture, food and such cultural activities as traditional dances and arts and crafts making. Visitors to that country will probably go back home with stories that would include such events as being exposed to the Zulu warrior dances, reed dances and traditional cuisine that must have included 'apap' mealie meal, kudu meat and soup and the braai (barbeque) experience. Yet visitors to such south and Latin American countries such as Brazil, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago would go home with exciting stories that would most likely include the colourful carnivals, traditional dances and seaside merrymaking. Those who might have chosen, as another example, our own Tanzania for their cultural tourism expeditions must have sampled the traditional African village life, including marriage ceremonies, food, traditional brew and dances, not to forget the rich and diversified cultures of different tribes.

There is no shortage of cultural tourism attractions in Tanzania and that is a fact. The Kilwa ruins in Lindi, Tongoni ruins and Amboni Caves in Tanga and the rock paintings in Kondoa are part of the bigger picture of the country's cultural tourism cake. In Zanzibar we have the annual Mwaka Kogwa festival at Makunduchi in South Unguja region, sort of a carnival that has never ceased to amaze and attract hundreds of revellers, both local and foreign. With proper planning and investment, Tanzania stands to reap a lot from its cultural tourism endowment. Let this undertaking be treated with the seriousness it deserves.