Kilimanjaro — A South Pare Mountains based cultural mountain lodge has received global recognition, a boost to cultural tourism in Tanzania.
The World Quality Commitment Award (WQC) 2016/7 has been granted to Tona Lodge after reaching the set out criteria by the Madrid-based institution, named BID (Business Initiative Directions).
In a letter sent to the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and copied to Tona Lodge by Tanzania Embassy in Paris, it is noted that the Award is given to companies, organisations, institutions and individuals in recognition for their quality of service, innovation, and improvement symbolising a success in the business.
The founder of the lodge, Mr Elly Kimbwereza, and the coordinator of South Pare Tourism Cultural Centre accepting the award noted that the potential of cultural tourism in Tanzania was so huge, and time has come for it to be embraced as a mainstream one instead of being sidelined.
He said it was gratifying to receive WQC, saying it was a testimony that cultural tourism was being taken seriously.
He said the award means that nature-based tourism could contribute to social, economic and environmental benefits.
“I have always insisted that cultural tourism is one of the alternatives to rapacious resource extraction. It could earn the desperately sought income and bring in revenues to properly managed villages and protected areas in the Southern Pare,” he said.
There are many hurdles to the promotion of cultural tourism in Tanzania despite the abundance of cultural tourism, it is one of the most unheralded and untapped tourist destinations, he noted. To get the award Tona lodge has shown efforts to enhance better understanding among people in the Pare Mountains and directed more awareness on the great cultural heritage and civilisation that values traditions and cultures of the local people as a tool for fighting poverty and elevate the living standards of village people, noted Mr Kimbwereza.
Read more: Tanzania: Boost for Cultural Tourism As Lodge Gets Global Recognition