Tanzania and Japan have agreed to cement their strategic cooperation in promoting and marketing tourist attractions between the two countries. The agreement was reached on September 25, 2026, when Tanzania's Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, held talks with Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Norio Kimura in Tokyo. The talks took place on the sidelines of Tourism Expo Japan 2026.
During the talks, Minister Kijaji highlighted Tanzania's rich tourism attractions, including wildlife, forest reserves, and historical heritage sites. She stated that effective promotion could attract more tourists from Japan. The two countries have identified areas for further cooperation, including developing tourism products, marketing and promotion, investment in tourism-related services, and increasing tourist travel between Tanzania and Japan.
Minister Kijaji expressed Tanzania's readiness to learn from Japan about the effective use of technology to promote and market tourism. She proposed programs for experience-sharing and capacity building between tourism professionals from Tanzania and Japan. This cooperation aims to enhance Tanzania's tourism sector and attract more visitors from Japan.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to implement joint strategies for promoting and marketing tourism through cooperation between the Japan Tourism Agency and the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB). This cooperation is expected to increase tourist travel between the two countries and promote Tanzania's tourism attractions.
Before the meeting, Minister Kijaji visited pavilions representing various countries, including the pavilion showcasing Tanzanian tourism institutions and stakeholders participating in Tourism Expo Japan. She interacted with stakeholders and exhibitors, urging them to increase innovation in promoting Tanzania's tourism attractions through international exhibitions.
Minister Kijaji emphasized that participation in international exhibitions should generate tangible benefits for Tanzania by helping attract more tourists and investors to the country. She encouraged institutions and stakeholders representing Tanzania at international tourism exhibitions to ensure that their displays reflect the quality, uniqueness, and diversity of the country's tourism attractions.
The cooperation between Tanzania and Japan is expected to have a positive impact on Tanzania's tourism sector. The two countries will work together to develop and promote tourism products, increase tourist travel, and attract more investors to the sector. Key areas of cooperation include technology transfer, capacity building, and joint marketing strategies.
Key points
- Tanzania and Japan have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in promoting and marketing tourism between the two countries.
- The cooperation aims to increase tourist travel between Tanzania and Japan and promote Tanzania's tourism attractions.
- Tanzania will learn from Japan about the effective use of technology to promote and market tourism.
