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.
We look forward to welcoming all visitors to Tanzania and serving our people through the emerging domestic tourism market during 2023.
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.
AWOTTA IS PROUD TO REPRESENT WOMEN IN TOURISM ON REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGES
2023 KEY EVENTS
WTTC GLOBAL SUMMIT
NOVEMBER 2023
Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan was amongst the high-ranking officials who attended the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), held for the first time in Rwanda, Africa.
Under the theme “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future” the event focused on the value of the tourism sector, not only to the global economy, but to the planet and communities around the world.
Listen below to our president’s powerful and inspiring speech.
ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TOURISM SUMMIT
OCTOBER 2023
AWOTTA Chairperson and African Tourism Board Ambassador Mary Kalikawe was honoured to accept an invitation to participate in the International Youth Tourism Summit hosted by Zanzibar.
Mary participated in proactive discussions with all who attended and presented awards to the next generation of tourism professionals passionate about developing tourism within Tanzania and across Africa.
ZARA TOURS – AFRICA’S LEADING TOUR OPERATOR!
OCTOBER 2023
Congratulations to our esteemed member Mrs Zaina Ansell, founder and director of Zara Tanzania Adventures, for winning Africa’s Leading Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards 2023.
The women of AWOTTA are very proud of you and your team for showcasing and delivering the very best of Tanzania to the world!
27th SEPTEMBER 2023
United Nations World Tourism Day 2023, highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, the planet and for prosperity.
AWOTTA encourages its members and all women in the tourism sector to celebrate World Tourism Day!
Tell the world how you celebrated via social media by using #WTD.
Thank you for supporting this important theme for the sustainable development and growth of tourism in Tanzania.
AWOTTA MEMBERS PROUDLY CELEBRATE WORLD TOURISM DAY ACROSS TANZANIA!
Dr Shogo Mlozi Sedoyek (AWOTTA founder member, founder of FAIDIKA TRUST, former CEO of Tanzania National College of Tourism and now a Member of Parliament on the East Africa Parliament) participated in a women’s conference, inspiring delegates and sharing her knowledge on how to create self-employment in tourism.
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Jacqueline Leonard and TanzanAfrica Tourism Growth were busy cleaning up the beaches of Lake Manyara National Park.
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Kiroyera Tours led a tree planting exercise with local school children in Bukoba.
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Thank you to all our members for their dedication and commitment to driving sustainable tourism investment over the coming year.
Formation of the Tanzania Association of Women Tour Operators (TAWTO) in the northern safari capital of Arusha
14th APRIL 2023
AWOTTA member Ms. Elizabeth Mwakajila, has been appointed as TAWTO Chairperson at the organisation’s inauguration event on April 14, 2023.
TAWTO complements the work of AWOTTA, focusing on gender parity and supporting women in their development in the tour operations sector.
We encourage all women already in this sector or who want to forge a career in tour operations to contact TAWTO directly for more information.
8TH MARCH 2023
A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women
2023 Campaign Theme: #EmbraceEquity
The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. Read more about this here.
Strike the #EmbraceEquity pose!
AWOTTA Chairperson Statement on IWD:
This year International Women’s Day 2023 focuses on the importance of ‘Equity.’ Equity means creating an inclusive world, where everyone is welcome.
AWOTTA is an organisation which embraces difference and values inclusivity. Not only for our members but for all women who work within our industry and beyond. We recognise that people are different and that they do not have the same opportunities. However, we also believe that everyone has the right to be treated with the same respect and must be supported equally to achieve their goals and aspirations.
We will continue to seek gender equality and equity within the Tourism industry and advocate for the removal of biases and stereotypes at every turn.
This year we will focus on elevating women by driving change through technology, education and sustainability. All will play an important part in driving equity and equality for our members. If you would like to join us, please see our membership page. You will be welcomed with open arms!
I invite all the women of AWOTTA to share the passion and excitement that comes from valuing and supporting our differences.
Together we can all help forge an equal world.
Let’s embrace equity today, and always.
Mary Kalilkawe
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mary Kalikawe (Chairperson)
phone: (+255) 07594 24933
email: mkalikawe@awotta.org
