Gold dethroned as tourism emerges Tanzania's top export earner
Tourism has become Tanzania's top foreign exchange earner, surpassing gold.
In the year ending May 2025, tourism revenue reached $3.92 billion, contributing 55.1% to service-related earnings.
A rise in international tourists to over 2.17 million drove this growth in the sector.
Tourism has officially overtaken gold as Tanzania's top foreign exchange earner, marking a historic milestone in the country's economic rebound from the pandemic.
The Bank of Tanzania's June 2025 Monthly Economic Review shows that tourism generated $3.92 billion in the year ending May 2025, up from $3.63 billion the year before, now making up 55.1% of all service-related earnings.
The earnings placed tourism just ahead of gold, which brought in $3.83 billion over the same period.
A surge in international arrivals played a central role in the sector's rise, with visitor numbers reaching 2,170,360, up from 1,961,870 in the prior period.
Policy reforms support sector expansion
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has played a central role in promoting Tanzania's tourism sector, with her administration introducing targeted policy reforms aimed at easing operational constraints and driving industry growth.
On July 8, 2025, the central bank granted tour operators partial exemptions from certain foreign exchange controls, a move widely praised by industry stakeholders.
The new exemptions allow tourism operators to use foreign currency for two key purposes: paying for services on behalf of non-resident tourists and acquiring specialised tourism vehicles from local suppliers. The central bank's decision reflects an effort to ease operational bottlenecks while maintaining broader currency stability.
The move also signals a broader strategic commitment to tourism as a cornerstone of Tanzania's economic development.
With world-renowned attractions like Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the beaches of Zanzibar, the country is steadily carving out its place as a top choice for global travellers.
Tanzania's appeal as a tourist hotspot continues to grow, with the country earning top honours at the 2024 World Travel Awards, including Africa's Leading Destination and the World's Leading Safari Destination.
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Gold dethroned as tourism emerges Tanzania's top export earner
Tourism has officially overtaken gold as Tanzania's top foreign exchange earner, marking a historic milestone in the country's economic rebound from the pandemic. Tourism has become Tanzania's top foreign exchange earner, surpassing gold. In the year ending May 2025, tourism revenue reached $3.92 billion, contributing 55.1% to service-related earnings. A rise in international tourists to over 2.17 million drove this growth in the sector. Tourism has officially overtaken gold as Tanzania's top foreign exchange earner, marking a historic milestone in the country's economic rebound from the pandemic. The Bank of Tanzania's June 2025 Monthly Economic Review shows that tourism generated $3.92 billion in the year ending May 2025, up from $3.63 billion the year before, now making up 55.1% of all service-related earnings. The earnings placed tourism just ahead of gold, which brought in $3.83 billion over the same period. A surge in international arrivals played a central role in the sector's rise, with visitor numbers reaching 2,170,360, up from 1,961,870 in the prior period. Policy reforms support sector expansion President Samia Suluhu Hassan has played a central role in promoting Tanzania's tourism sector, with her administration introducing targeted policy reforms aimed at easing operational constraints and driving industry growth. On July 8, 2025, the central bank granted tour operators partial exemptions from certain foreign exchange controls, a move widely praised by industry stakeholders. The new exemptions allow tourism operators to use foreign currency for two key purposes: paying for services on behalf of non-resident tourists and acquiring specialised tourism vehicles from local suppliers. The central bank's decision reflects an effort to ease operational bottlenecks while maintaining broader currency stability. The move also signals a broader strategic commitment to tourism as a cornerstone of Tanzania's economic development. With world-renowned attractions like Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the beaches of Zanzibar, the country is steadily carving out its place as a top choice for global travellers. Tanzania's appeal as a tourist hotspot continues to grow, with the country earning top honours at the 2024 World Travel Awards, including Africa's Leading Destination and the World's Leading Safari Destination.
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