Tanzania Tourism Overtakes Gold

Tourism has become Tanzania's largest foreign exchange earner, surpassing gold for the first time. According to the Bank of Tanzania's latest Monthly Economic Review, tourism revenues totaled $3.92 billion in the year ending May 2025, up from $3.63 billion the previous year. This growth accounts for more than half (55.1%) of all service-related income and highlights the sector's increasing economic impact. International arrivals reached 2,170,360, up from 1,961,870, fueling the rise in earnings and edging past gold exports, which stood at $3.83 billion.

The tourism industry is a significant economic driver in both southern and East Africa, with countries heavily reliant on tourism for revenue, job creation and conservation. The region's diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage attract a large number of international tourists – accounting for roughly 10% of the GDP.