Samia’s Russia visit unlocks new tourism frontiers

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s historic state visit to Russia was more than a diplomatic engagement; it delivered a tangible breakthrough for Tanzania’s tourism sector.

The launch of direct Air Tanzania flights between Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Moscow, a development expected to significantly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen bilateral trade, is one of the immediate benefits.

Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2026, President Samia made Tanzania’s tourism ambitions clear to the global business community, listing tourism among the country’s top five investment priorities.

The government aims to increase the number of Russian tourists visiting Tanzania to 500,000 annually by 2030 and eventually to one million.

A game-changer for Russian tourism

Before the launch of direct flights, Russian tourists travelled to Tanzania via connecting flights through Middle Eastern hubs. About 17,000 Russian tourists visited Tanzania last year, according to Russian expert Andrey Maslov, head of the Centre for African Studies at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia expects tourist traffic from Russia to Tanzania to increase by at least 30 per cent following the launch of direct flights. The impact is already being felt.

Ambassador John Ulanga, Director of International Trade and Economic Diplomacy, said: “Immediately after the announcement of the direct flights, several Russian tourism companies flocked to the Tanzania Tourist Board pavilion at the St Petersburg forum. This is a positive early signal.”

**“The Royal Tour” and its impact **

Tanzania has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of tourists since the launch of ‘The Royal Tour’ documentary in 2022. The documentary features President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan acting as the ultimate tour guide for her country, showcasing Tanzania’s hidden gems, rich history and investment opportunities to a global audience following the Covid-19 pandemic tourism slump.

With travel restrictions imposed during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the number of international visitors declined to 616,491 in 2020 from 1,527,230 recorded in 2019.

In 2019, Tanzania earned 1.06 billion US dollars (about 2.8tri/-) in travel receipts, but earnings began to rise, reaching 1.396 billion US dollars (about 3.7tri/-), consistent with an increase in international tourist arrivals to 918,603, according to Bank of Tanzania (BoT) figures.

BoT figures show that the number of tourists rose to 2,294,495 in 2025, earning the country almost 4 billion US dollars (about 10.6tri/-).

According to the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, President Dr Samia’s tourism promotion initiatives led to a massive increase in international tourist arrivals between 2021 and 2024.

Tanzania had 293 registered tourist-class hotels in 2023, offering 25,045 rooms and 44,091 beds. Average bed occupancy reached 61.83 per cent, peaking at 70.7 per cent in December.

Hotel construction is expanding rapidly, with East Africa emerging as the continent’s fastest-moving construction market.

Major international hospitality groups, including Marriott International, Hilton, Accor and Radisson Hotel Group, are expanding their presence, particularly in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, where demand for both business and leisure accommodation continues to grow.

**Benefits for citizens and businesses **

New air links between Tanzania and Russia are expected to create significant opportunities for ordinary Tanzanians. More visitors mean more business for hotels, tour operators, transport providers, local food suppliers, artisans and cultural boma operators.

Russian travellers are known for their strong spending power and often stay longer, particularly on luxury safaris and combined safari-beach itineraries.

Economist Hildebrand Shayo said the launch demonstrates the tangible economic benefits of President Samia’s diplomatic engagement.

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“Beyond tourism, the new air route strengthens bilateral trade by enabling faster travel for business delegations and creating opportunities to export highvalue, time-sensitive products such as horticultural produce, seafood and flowers to the Russian market,” he explained.

Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, explained how the visitor economy supports wider financial stability.

“Tanzania’s economic fundamentals constitute a buffer against global shocks. Real GDP growth is estimated at around 6 per cent in the first half of 2026, due to sustained expansion in agriculture, construction, mining, financial services and transport.”

** Investment opportunities **

With 337 newly identified tourist attractions across Mtwara, Lindi and Njombe being prepared for development, the pipeline of bankable projects is substantial.

The World Bank-backed REGROW Project is upgrading airports and accommodation across the Southern Circuit.The KAMACO Project supports conservation in Katavi and Mahale National Parks, while “Smart Gates” are digitalising entry points across the Northern Circuit.

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators Chairman Wilbard Chambulo said: “What we are experiencing is a true partnership between the State and the private sector. The government’s willingness to invest heavily in destination marketing while addressing regulatory bottlenecks has given local tour operators confidence to expand their fleets and hire more staff.”

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