ATCL, TIHG SIGN PACT TO BRING IN 10,000 CHINESE TOURISTS

By Times Observer Reporter

Dar es Salaam

Government-owned Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) and Chinese Touchroad International Holding Group (TIHG) have signed an agreement to bring in about 10,000 tourists from China who will visit the country this year.

Earlier last year TIHG signed a pact with Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) to bring Chinese tourists whereas TIHG said would bring them by using ATCL’s planes and for local tourist destinations.

TTB Board Chairman Judge Thomas Mihayo told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that in order to make sure the tourism sector brings impact to the national economy, TTB has started to implement the agreement by bringing in 10,000 tourists to Tanzania.

“Today, we are signing the contract agreement between ATCL and TIHG from China on how they will do business together of transporting about ten thousand tourists from the Far Eastern country,” he said.

"We expect 300 tourists to arrive in the country by May this year and this group will compose of VIPs and famous people including veteran journalists, celebrities, businessmen and we expect to receive 260 every week until they reach 10,000,” he said

For his part, ATCL Sales and Distribution Manager, Edward Mkwabi, said ATCL is ready to transport tourists, while TIHGs chairman He Liehu said his company will use ATCL flights during the business.

Source: Times Observer