By Lake Zone watch Writer
Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Said Mtanda has urged residents of the region to develop the habit of visiting tourist attractions available in their area as an added incentive to boost local tourism.
Speaking to 139 local tourists who visited the nearby Saanane Island National Park as part of celebrating Farmers Day (Nanenane) recently, Mr Mtanda said promotion of local tourism was vital to bolster the fast-growing industry in the country.
The 2.18-square-kilometre Saanane Island National Park, just adjacent to Mwanza city, was established by the government as an animal garden 60 years ago, but later on, in 2013 it was declared a national park.
It was named after its founder, Saanane Chawandi, and between 1964 and 1966, various wild animals were moved to the island.
At the Sunday Nanenane celebrations, Mr Mtanda used the occasion to appeal to the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) to think of new tourist attractions which will attract more tourists to visit Saanane Island National Park and Mwanza city.
The Sunday visitors who thronged Saanane Island enjoyed themselves by watching the Simba-Yanga semi-final match of the Community Shield played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The slogan for the day was “Furahia 88 Family & Derby Day.”