TASOTA underscores need to embrace technology for the regional airlines

The Tanzania Association of Travel Agents (TASOTA) has underscored the need to embrace innovative technologies to shield the sector from disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Agnes Rwegasira, the TASOTA chairperson, made this appeal at a travel convention and annual general meeting (AGM) in Dar es Salaam yesterday, an event that brought together key stakeholders from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

The meeting was intended for crucial deliberations, networking and collaboration with the expectation of shaping the future of the local travel industry.

The meeting featured panel discussions on how East African countries can work together to enhance tourism, address policy and infrastructure challenges and foster the industry’s sustainable development.

The new distribution capability protocol adopted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) came up for discussion, which stakeholders say is revolutionizing airline services by enabling personalized offers and improving financial systems.

Discussions centred on how to capitalise on Tanzania’s leisure tourism potential with luxury offerings, innovative experiences and international partnerships, without offsetting sustainable tourism practices.

David Kihenzile, the Transport deputy minister, remarked that the growth of the travel and tourism sector has to be aligned with sustainability, stressing that environmental considerations should be integral to business strategies, not an afterthought.

The TASOTA leadership, government representatives, industry experts from IATA and regional travel executives offered valuable insights into the future of local air travel and in the Southern Africa region.