THE southern Tanzanian regions of Mtwara and Lindi will have a good opportunity of showcasing their rich but largely untapped tourism and economic potential through a two-day festival starting August 16.
Dubbed 'Mtwara Festival', the first ever annual event, to take place at the Lawi Nangwanda Sijaona Stadium in the fast developing municipality, will be coloured by an assortment of rhythms, music, arts and culinary flavour on display.
The festival, whose theme this year is 'Fursa Zimefunguka, Tuzitambue, Tujiandae, Tuzichangamkie' (Opportunities have opened up, let's identify them for exploitation), is expected to be officiated by the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda.
According to a press release issued by the Tanzania Creative Industries Network (TACIN), Mtwara Festival "is born of the collaboration between it, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and supported by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB)''.
The festival is part of TTB strategy to attract visitors and create tourism and economic opportunities to the deep-water port regions.
It is also deemed as a communication strategy and platform from which the community will learn about abundant opportunities around them as well as enhance their pride through the promotion of Mtwara and Lindi as places to visit, live, work and do business.
"Mtwara and Lindi are both coastal regions with pristine beaches and abundant wealth of history, culture and creativity, which through this festival will attract more foreigners and stimulate tourism in these two communities,'' the statement quoted Mr Anic Kashasha, the Executive Chairman of TACIN, saying.
Mr Kashasha has further noted that the recent discovery in 2012 of natural gas in Mtwara and Lindi will also contribute to the economic development in the two regions as it will create more opportunities for job creation and income generation.
Mtwara has for many years been seldom touched by the outside world and reasons for its late development may be traced all the way to the colonial era when the Germans and Portuguese needed a buffer zone and used Ruvuma River as a border.
Acting TTB Managing Director Devota Mdachi has called on businesses and organizations to come out and support the festival in addition to taking advantage "of this great opportunity to showcase their products and services for the world to see''.
The festival has been supported by several institutions, including the Mtwara Regional Commissioner's Office, Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council and Mtwara Rural District Council. Media partners are Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited, publishers of Daily News, Sunday News, HabariLeo, HabariLeo Jumapili, Spoti Leo, Mtwara's Pride FM Radio and Strictly Communications.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS
