Indian billionaire pledges huge boost to TZ tourism

By Zephania Ubwani, The Citizen Bureau Chief Serengeti: Mukesh Ambani, one of the world’s richest men, yesterday described the Serengeti National Park as a “gift of God” and promised to bring into Tanzania more investors in the tourism sector from abroad. “The magnificent expanse of the Serengeti is the gift of God and citizens of the world should preserve it,” he said at the end of his three day visit to the park during which he undertook night game drives. Mr Ambani, billed as India’s Number One billionaire, who was due to leave for home last night, said he was impressed by efforts being taken by Tanzania to conserve nature, citing the rich wildlife in Serengeti. He told reporters that the Serengeti, declared the world’s eighth wonder, was his favourite destination for end-of -year holiday this time around because of its wildlife splendour since his first visit here in the 1990s. “I am highly impressed by efforts done to maintain the ecology. You must make sure the park is protected for the benefit of the present and future generations,” he said after a brief meeting with Natural Resources and Tourism minister Ezekiel Maige. He said Reliance Group of Companies that he heads was looking into the possibility of propping up investments in the tourism and hospitality sector in Tanzania given the country’s potential as a prime tourist destination in Africa. A 35-member entourage that accompanied Mr. Ambani, one of the world’s top 10 billionaires, apparently brought life to the remotely-located but luxurious Bilila Lodge Kempiski on the northern part of the vast park. The lodge manager, Ms Carine Wittwer, said for the last three days from Thursday when Mr Ambani jetted into the country, the visitors occupied 13 guest rooms and all its five villas. The facility has a total of 62 rooms, 12 suites and five villas. The lodge, which targets mainly rich tourists from abroad, could have raked in millions of dollars for the last four days but officials could not divulge details of their receipts. “We had had no visitors for a long time. The visit of Mr. Ambani has been a boon to our business,” remarked a lodge employee who requested anonymity. A casually dressed Mr. Ambani had discussion with the minister from around noon at the lodge’s lobby, overlooking the extended plains of Serengeti and later he talked to journalists before returning to his villa in readiness for a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) en route to India. On his future investment plan in Tanzania, Mr. Ambani said the Reliance Group of Companies has already invested in the country through Gapco Oil Company, which reportedly arranged his visit. On the poaching menace in Tanzania’s game reserves, the Indian billionaire expressed concern saying the malpractice should be put to an end because it was damaging the country’s outstanding efforts in wildlife conservation. Minister Maige, who spoke to reporters separately, said the visit came at a time when Tanzania was rolling out the welcome mat for tourists from Asia besides those from the traditional source in  Western countries. “We are now opening our doors to India, China and Japan. We want new investors for out tourism sector,” he said, adding that the Indian billionaire has promised to assist Tanzania to re-establish direct flights to his home country. He described India as a fast emerging economic giant in the world. “We hope this visit will boost investments to our tourism industry” the minister added.