ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN TOURISM TANZANIA
AWOTTA is a non-profit organisation established in 2011 to help empower women to reach their true potential, gain equality of opportunity and attain financial security within the Tanzania tourism sector
A Personal Message from
Mary C. Kalikawe – Chairperson
Thank you for visiting our website today.
Despite very difficult times for the world and our industry over the past two years, we are looking forward to welcoming back international visitors and serving the emerging domestic tourism market within Tanzania during 2022.
Through the continued development of tourism, Tanzania will prosper and AWOTTA is committed to playing a key role in making this happen. Women make up 50% of the population and we will work tirelessly to ensure they have a fair and equal opportunity to achieve their aspirations whilst contributing to our country’s socio-economic objectives through participation in the tourism sector.
We are driven by the popular saying “Nani kama Mama”, which means that the children of Tanzania look to the next generation of women to lay the ground that will lead to their prosperity. We are proud to embrace this tradition within the tourism industry and I invite you to join us today in taking on this responsibility.
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
WORLD TOURISM DAY: RETHINKING TOURISM
27th September 2022
AWOTTA would like to wish all our partners and clients a Happy World Tourism Day!
This year’s United Nations theme is “Rethinking Tourism”.
“As the sector’s recovery gets underway and building on unprecedented political and public recognition for the sector, UNWTO will highlight the opportunity to rethink how we do tourism. This means putting people and planet first and bringing everyone from governments and businesses to local communities together around a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient sector.”
We encourage our members and esteemed partners to discuss and help us drive forward initiatives to support advancement in the areas of education, job creation, sustainability and climate change (as outlined in the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism).
AWOTTA EVENTS & INITATIVES
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Kwa mfano Mimi naandika: Mary Kalikawe working on empowering youth and women in Tanzania to identify opportunities for self-employment in the tourism sector value chain. The Covid Pandemic showed Tanzania and the world that innovation had not been as important as the time of Corona. Growing domestic tourism is now seen to be more important than before. But the workforce with the correct values to run the industry has to be built and natured. Mary spent time working with women and the youth to train them to see how they can engage gainfully in the travel sector: guiding, enhancing the domestic visitor experience, identifying local tourist attractions and producing products for sale to tourists and suppliers.
SEPTEMBER
AWOTTA are proud to send its congratulations to members, Mary Kalikawe, Elizabeth Mwakajila and Francesca Masika for being chosen as winners at the leading ‘Women in Travel and Tourism, Africa’ for 2022.
2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Date: To be confirmed
AWOTTA’s 2022 AGM will be held either in person or online to allow all members to participate.
(Details can be found on the AWOTTA members-only Whatsapp group in due course)
APRIL
AWOTTA joined TPSF this year and are invited to policy meetings on Tourism and Business.
Members representing our organisation are actively attending these meetings and we would like to thank Candice Olaa (CEO of Silashi Transport Hire) for her time and report this month.
MARCH
Congratulations Elizabeth & Mrembo Safaris!
9th March 2022
AWOTTA member Elizabeth Mwakajila Ayo founder of Mrembo Safaris picked up the accolade of ‘Tourism Company of the Year’ at the Tanzania Women Industrial Awards 2022 in Dar es Salaam on 9th March.
This prestigious event was coordinated by the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) and graced by the Minister for Community Development, Women and Children, Dr Dorothy Gwajima.
Elizabeth is a leading light in empowering women within the tourism sector and has picked up a number of awards for her work. Her company, Mrembo Safaris give 30% of their profit to support projects from female guiding courses to tourist business startups, helping women to stay adjacent to the national parks whilst earning a sustainable income for themselves and their families. Read more about Mrembo Safaris here
‘No to Mount Kilimanjaro Cable Car!’
8th March 2022
AWOTTA members (including Zainab Ansell, Trustee Chairperson & Owner of Zara Tours) rally against plans for a cable car on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro is a sacred mountain to the Tanzanian people, attracting visitors the world over due to its natural beauty and the challenge to reach its iconic peak unaided. Concerns about the installation of a cable car have been raised not only on conservation and environmental grounds, but also the negative impact it will have on the local population i.e. the loss of employment for the many skilled guides, cooks and mountain porters who depend on the mountain for their livelihood.
AWOTTA awaits the Government’s decision.
A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women
2022 Campaign Theme: “Break The Bias”
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Article published in THE ECHO on Tuesday 8th March 2022
On IWD, Mary Kalikawe calls for the inclusion of women at all levels within the transportation sector – the backbone of the tourism sector
AWOTTA members supported events across the country including:
FEBRUARY
Dr Rose Rutagemwa, Joyce Kalemera, Agnes Rwegasira and Mary Kalikawe represented AWOTTA at the Spotlight Travel Expo held at the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.
JANUARY
AWOTTA’s Board of Trustees have appointed Zainab Ansell (founder and award winning owner of Zara Tours) as their new Chairperson.
Zainab will be driving new partnerships and business relationships for AWOTTA including membership of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) – which has been personally funded by the Trustees.
The Trustees will be working closely with the Chairperson and regional Co-Chairpersons to list the challenges and opportunities that AWOTTA faces in 2022. Findings will be shared with members at the 2022 AGM.
AWOTTA is committed to delivering National and International tourism goals in 2022
Tanzania Tourism – Recovery & Growth
AWOTTA will be supporting President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her government in their aim to raise the number of tourists from the current 1.5 million to 5 million visitors within the next 5 years, resulting in increased revenues from US$2.6 billion to US$6 billion.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is the driving force behind “The Royal Tour” documentary, which is being rolled out worldwide on streaming channels throughout 2022 to promote the wonders of Tanzania.
AWOTTA’s work supports UNWTO in achieving the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
World Tourism Day has been held on 27 September every year since 1980. AWOTTA will be supporting and celebrating this special day across Tanzania. Details of this year’s theme will be available nearer the time.
Please share your celebrations with us and the world: #WorldTourismDay
Tanzania Domestic Tourism
UWANDAE EXPO!
AWOTTA IS FOUNDER ORGANISER OF UWANDAE EXPO! TANZANIA’S PREMIER DOMESTIC TOURISM EVENT
THE NEXT EVENT IS BEING PLANNED FOR 2023!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mary Kalikawe (Chairperson)
phone: (+255) 07594 24933
email: mkalikawe@awotta.org
