2027 AFCON: Parliament Committee Urges Private Sector To Join TFS In Infrastructure Facelift At Lake Duluti Forest Reserve
The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) is implementing a strategic investment project to improve key infrastructure at its nature-based tourism centres as part of preparations to host the hundreds of thousands of international visitors expected to travel to Tanzania for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The ongoing works, among others, focus on upgrading and constructing new accommodation facilities, roofing, social services, as well as road infrastructure at the Agency’s tourism sites across Tanzania.
Located about 14 kilometres east of Arusha City and 1.3 kilometres from Tengeru town, Lake Duluti Forest Reserve is among the areas where TFS is currently working to install modern visitor accommodation tents, hostels and upgrade its road infrastructure.
The scenic volcanic crater lake in Tanzania’s northern part serves as an important and eye-catching tourist destination, highlighting its potential role in hosting international visitors and AFCON 2027 football enthusiasts.
Basing on its role, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Tourism paid a special visit to the site to assess the progress of infrastructure upgrading investments.
Apart from expressing satisfaction with the pace of investment being undertaken by TFS, the Committee underscored the need for the private sector to chip in and add investment muscle to the area.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Timotheo Mzava, said preparations for the competition should go hand in hand with improving accommodation services, transport and infrastructure in tourist areas, so that visitors coming to the country have the opportunity to visit various attractions and extend their stay.
He noted that the Government cannot do everything alone, urging the private sector to take advantage of the favourable investment environment created by the Government to strengthen the sector.
He also urged Tanzanians to take advantage of local tourism opportunities by visiting various attractions across the country, stressing that tourism is an opportunity for all Tanzanians.
On his part, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Hamadi Chande, said the presence of destinations such as Lake Duluti presents an important opportunity to develop tourism in the country, insisting that such prestigious economic sites can attract visitors coming for AFCON 2027 as well as Tanzanians travelling within the country.
“The Government will continue to create an enabling environment for investment and improve tourism infrastructure to enhance the quality of services, attract more tourists and ensure that citizens have the opportunity to benefit from tourism activities.”
Managed by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, Lake Duluti Forest Reserve is a scenic volcanic crater lake located in Tengeru town, Arusha Region.
Tanzania is co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Kenya and Uganda, and the country anticipates welcoming hundreds of thousands of international and regional visitors during the tournament.