Tanzania is blessed with a wealth of natural resources especially with wildlife, forests, mountains, and the rift valley, which serve as the backbone of the country's tourism economy. Almost a third of Tanzania's land area is protected by the government and is set aside as a national park, conservation area, or game reserve.

As a result, it's no surprise that tourism is one of Tanzania's three fastest-growing industries and the country's second-largest source of foreign money after agriculture.

Despite the aforementioned attractions and the growing importance of tourism in Tanzania's economy, Tanzania's tourism demand (both domestic and international) lags behind that of other African countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa. The sector's total contribution to GDP growth also lags behind Uganda, Botswana, Senegal, Namibia, Kenya, and the Republic of Congo.

Tanzania's tourism demand (domestic and international) falls behind that of other African countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa, despite the aforementioned attractions and the growing importance of tourism in Tanzania's economy. Uganda, Botswana, Senegal, Namibia, Kenya, and the Republic of Congo are all behind in total contribution to GDP growth.

Non - Competitiveness of Tanzania's Tourism Sector

Various issues contribute to Tanzania's tourist sector's lack of competitiveness, but the most pressing is infrastructural development and marketing of the country's tourism offerings.

Infrastructure

The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) noted in its 2012 marketing strategy report that "basic tourism infrastructure, such as information, transportation, and safety, are not reasons to visit Tanzania, but they are possible reasons for unhappiness." If they are not in order, they may serve as a deterrent to (possible) tourists to Tanzania."

There is evidence that any gains in infrastructure development after the 2012 self-evaluation report have not achieved the threshold level required to enhance the country's tourist sector's competitiveness effectively.

Tanzania's social infrastructure is similarly lacking, as indicated by its global score of 125/136 on the health and hygiene conditions pillar. While the circumstances for social infrastructure in competitor countries in the region are not better, they score higher than Tanzania; South Africa is ranked 113/136, followed by Botswana (118) and Kenya (119). (120)

Marketing

The absence of active marketing is the second major element leading to Tanzania's tourism products' non-competitiveness. While the Tanzania Tourist Board has done an excellent job of promoting the sector, evidence suggests that it has fallen short of what South Africa, Kenya, and Botswana have done.

Tanzania's tourism sector marketing spending budget, which is much smaller than that of Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana, is the main constraint in marketing efforts, according to Tanzania TouristBoard.