Tanzania, through the association of tour operators, has compiled and published a safari guide code of conduct and ethics as means to upgrade the standards of the travel industry in the country.’
The ‘Safari Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics,’ which is available in nine different international languages, is currently being reviewed by tour operators and travel guides, to ensure that all stakeholders strictly adhere to the guidelines.
“The manual entails vehicle and driving protocols, cultural sensitivity, environment protection, personal hygiene, proper dress code and discipline,” explained the Chairperson of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) Willy Chambulo.
Chambulo, was speaking during the special training and familiarization of the newly launched Safari Guide Code of Ethics for driver guides from different travel companies in Tanzania.
According to the TATO chairperson, Tanzania’s tourism industry has not only recovered by 100 percent after the Covid-19 pandemic, but also is growing at the rate of 15 to 20 percent per year.
“Tanzania tourism has grown by 115 percent, therefore experiencing an influx of visitors and thus it is vital to formulate proper code of conduct and ethics to safeguard our operations,” said Chambulo.
The country had been receiving an average of 1.5 million foreign tourists per annum, during the pre-pandemic years.
“After launching the tour guides’ code of conduct manifest, we had to sit with the drivers and tour guides and go through the booklet for the guidelines on how they are supposed to conduct themselves whenever they are taking visitors to the National Parks, Game Reserves and other attractions,” the TATO chairperson maintained.
The Safari Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics is also embedded in QR Code, making it easily and readily available worldwide and can be scanned by tourists planning their trips to Tanzania.
“The code of conducts are not just for the Safari Guides but also tour operators and tourists themselves, so that they may be aware of ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while on safari in the parks or highways,” explained Nay Paul a lady driver guide working for Zara Adventures of Kilimanjaro.
Another tour guide, Idd Jumanne added that, with the guidelines, the safari operators are prepared to become real ambassadors of the country as they directly come into contact with foreign visitors.
The protection of biodiversity in the game reserves and parks has also been taken into consideration, in the newly launched guidelines.
“We have to be careful not to venture far off roads, because by doing so, the vehicles can destroy vegetation and kill small animals and insects and even birds,” said Allan Mollel a tour operator and guide.
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators is an umbrella organization for the travel industry in Tanzania, comprising nearly 400 member companies, among them tour firms, hotels, travel agencies and service providers and suppliers.