I have been honoured by TTB as the leader of this climb to mark 50 years of the independence of Tanzania mainland.

We plan to be at the summit on the anniversary, 9th December.

1.       Ms. Zainab Ansell, Founder and Director of Zara Tanzanian Adventures and Member of the Sustainable and Solidarity Tourism Network of the Spanish Banesto Foundation, related her experiences as a successful female entrepreneur. She explained how she managed to make her company one of the largest Kilimanjaro outfitters and one of the biggest tourism companies in Tanzania. She spoke of the bravery it took to “walk the path”. She explained that women face many challenges when becoming entrepreneurs in developing countries. “There is an entrenched social believe in Africa that women are supposed to stay at home. At times, society even does not expect you contribute to public life or to benefit the economy”, she observed.

2.       Ms. Ansell explained that a key challenge she faced was access to credit. As she did not have a credit record, and given her gender, it was difficult to convince the loan officer to grant her a loan to launch her business and even harder, she recalled, getting licenses from the government. However, “it was perseverance and resilience that kept me going when facing these barriers”, she recalled.

3.       Her determination grew in the early 1980s, Ms. Ansell said, while working for Tanzanian’s National Airline (ATC). “Working with ATC created a dream; I wanted to open my own Travel Agency”. She was especially keen to move up from a clerical position, which, she held, “is often the place where women stay, not advancing to professional or leadership positions.”

4.       Ms. Ansell recounted the story of how her company grew over time. In 1986, she used her savings and opened “Zara International Travel Agency” and began selling air tickets. However, when she applied for IATA Membership, it was not granted, and she had to work for over a year to prove herself. Thereafter, she was finally given the license which opened the doors and gave her the credibility to attract clients for Kilimanjaro and Safari excursions.

5.       By 1990, as her business was steadily profiting, a second office was opened to promote safaris. Since this was before the advent of the internet, Ms. Ansell had to go to bus stations to sell safari tours. “There was finally an advantage of being a woman” she joked. “Tourists felt they could trust me because of being a woman”. In her first trips to international tourism fairs she recalled that those in attendance were surprised and suspicious to see a woman selling trips to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. In the mid-nineties, she expanded into the hotel sector, opening a small hotel which attracted customers due to its good service and affordable prices, and which was later expanded to a hotel of 80 rooms.

6.       Ms. Ansell informed the gathering that her company employs many single women, training them especially in the areas of housekeeping, reception work, and as guides. “We are breaking stereotypes that women cannot do it”, she emphasized. “Clients were surprised women can drive the car and take the client on Safari”. She also felt that seeing her as a role model and being reassured by her example has helped other women start small businesses. She encourages them with her own personal slogan of “you can do it” and does her best to include their products in her hotels´ supply chain.

7.       Ms. Ansell also mentioned Zara Charity, a nonprofit foundation that finances its operations with 10% of her business revenue. Within its four areas of work, one is the Women´s Foundation where women acquire literacy skills and are able to make handicrafts that are later sold in the hotels. She also spoke of the company´s work with Maasai women, to whom they offer vocational training and whom they help market their handcrafts. They have constructed a waterhole in the village, saving the time and energy it previously took to get water in remote areas. “The Maasai women that work with us have been empowered and they are proudly helping their families”, she remarked.

8.       Acknowledging that women’s rights have greatly improved in Tanzania over the past three decades, Ms. Ansell said this makes it easier for women to come forward and try to achieve their own particular goals and ambitions. While recounting anecdotes, Ms. Ansell recalled that high ranking public figures she has met are more open to women having a place in society, and are encouraging women to occupy public positions. She too encouraged women in the audience with her determined “you can do it” approach. “To achieve something worthwhile requires hard work, endurance and determination,” she concluded, however “gender should no longer be a challenge.”

Consistent with efforts to expand its market presence, the Philippines was among 100 countries represented in the Montreal show that drew in 38,600 potential consumers, 98 percent of whom intend to take a trip within the next 12 months.

“The attendance, 3 percent higher than last year, once again demonstrates Quebecers’ love affair with travel,” the ITTS organizers said.

In a presentation in French on October 22, Tours Hai, a Montreal-based tour operator specializing in Asian and South Pacific destinations, actively marketed the Philippines as “Islands of Magic”, with Manila, Boracay, Cebu and Bohol as featured destinations.

Queries on flights, travel time, air fare and package rates indicated serious interest on the part of seminar participants in exploring options for their next dream vacation.

At the Philippine booth, concrete choices were offered by Atlantis Philippines for a Visayas safari and by Bluewater Resorts for island getaways in Cebu and Bohol.

http://issamichuzi.blogspot.com/2011/10/naibu-spika-wa-bunge-la-tanzania-mhe.html

Congratulations- “Hongera”!

 On behalf of the Tanzania Tourist Board, we are pleased to inform you that Zara Tanzania Adventures has been selected to receive the Tanzania Tourist Board Sustainable Tourism Award for 2011. The TTB Awards were created to support and show appreciation to the travel professionals and media who have worked hard promoting and selling Tanzania as well as to provide an incentive to increase the numbers even more in the coming years.

Twice a year we arrange a very special trip to Kilimanjaro. All ZARA porters and many other porters who are members of Mount Kilimanjaro Porter Society (MKPS) clean the mountain. You can join them and volunteer making Kilimanjaro a cleaner and more beautiful place! You will not only get a rate which is 15% discounted from the regular rate, but also 20% of your money paid will go to the ZARA Charity, supporting charitable projects in Tanzania! 

The program will be :-

Day 1. 1^st November client arrive  at any time for the briefing and get prepared with all Necessary gears  $ 20 for the transfer per person from Kilimanjaro airport for the client who will arrive Via Kilimanjaro airport free dinner included

 Day 2.2^nd November starting Machame 7 days up to day 8 which will be  the 8^th of November $ 1766 that’s include the whole 7 days climb from starting point to finish point and 2 night accommodation sharing full board

Day 8^. 8^th November when client come back from the mountain the go strait to our tree climbing day plant a tree name it and Put a tag on it  Lunch, dinner ,transportation included.

Day 9. 9^th November client will visit mount Kilimanjaro porters society office so as we can official open our shop for mountain equipment for porters where client can have a chance to donate cloths and other mountain equipment and also the society it self to present what we have done for the porters for the past 8 years. After that  client can depart

We Zara tours are grant that the GGM team made it to the top of Kilimanjaro, and had an successful project on the fight against HIV/AIDS. and protect the community.this ye     

” As he accompanied a 99-person group comprising of guides, porters and 51 climbers from AngloGoldAshanti– Geita Gold Mine that opted to undertake the Mt. Kilimanjaro Challenge 2007 Against HIV/AIDS.

The 82-year old Mzee Mwinyi went with the climbers for two- kilometres climb of the highest mountain in Africa. He also promised to come back next year to do a full climb.

That marked the sixth of such an event organised by AngloGoldAshanti — GGM to raise money for the fight against HIV/AIDS following the first one held in February 2002 and the beginning of what one of the climbers says it: “It was not a walk in the park.”

Achievement of 44 out of 47 climbers including eight ladies reached the famous Uhuru Peak and over 150 million shillings have been successfully collected.

hope their will keep up the spirit to support our society in large.

Thanks a lot GGM team.

This year Zara tours will be hosting over 200 resident and non-resident climbers to the Kilimanjaro summit on 9th December 2011. This will mark 50th Independence anniversary celebrations and will be coordinated with the Tanzania Tourist Board.The climbers will hike via different routes.

1.Machame route (6 or 7 days option )

2.Rongai route ( 6 or 7 days option )

3.Lemosho route ( 8 days option )

4.Marangu Route (5 or 6 option )

All climbers from the 4 routes will summit on 9th December 2011.

Some of the people who will be leading this year climb the son of former Tanzania president Julius Nyerere ( Madaraka Nyerere) , other officials of Tanzania Tourist Board and also Zara tours staffs.

For more information bookings@zaratours.com or zara@zaratours.com

“For communities to proactively control this disease there is great need to raise awareness and we think through Ngorongoro Run, we can spread this education to the people of Karatu,” he added.

The race co-ordinator, Innocent Augustino, speaking about the event said: “Individual runners and teams will make their way through one of the beautiful and unique places on earth, from the gates of Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu town.

He commended sponsors of race including Tigo, USAID, Zara Tours Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).

“This important event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Since 2009, Tigo’s commitment to the health and well being of the people of Tanzania has been demonstrated through their generous support of this event.

They are the foundation on which this marathon is built,” he said. Zara Tours has been an invaluable sponsor since the race inception in 2008.

In 2010 Zara created and became sole sponsor of the ‘Ngorongoro Run: Kids’ Fun Run’, an activity that expanded the impact of the marathon. Augostino revealed that more than 5,000 residents of Karatu district enjoyed the festivities and learned life saving information about malaria during the previous event.

This  the fourth time  Ngorongoro Run is been held in April 9th in Arusha,Karatu in this year Zara tours toke the honor of sponsoring the Kids Marathon and helped in all other runs in that event also our Director  toke the privilege of giving presents to the kids who won in the Kids Marathon.

The forth Ngorongoro half Marathon (21 km/14 miles) will be held on Saturday, the 9th of April, 2011. It is still possible to register as a participant, which is free of charge. Everyone participating will get a 50 US$ discount on any ZARA safari or climb. Even if you’re not into participating yourself, it will be a lot of fun to cheer on the many local and foreign runners!

Last year, In April 2010, more than 300 world class runners from East Africa and the United States made their way through one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth, beginning at the Ngorongoro Crater and ending in Karatu Town. Participants ran the full half marathon as individuals and this year, MIHV (Minnesota International Health Volunteers) that are arranging the run, are encouraging corporate teams to run the race as a relay. For 2011,  5 km and 1 km “fun runs” for children are added.

MIHV is still looking for sponsors of the event. If you see yourself in a position to assist, contact Jolene Mullins, MIHV country director for Tanzania (jmullins@wellshareinternational.org). Sponsorship opportunities start as low as 100,000 TSh (75 USD) to sponsor a runner (Bronze package) and 1 Mio. TSh (750 USD) to be a main sponsor. Also contact Jolene if you want to participate as a runner.

The marathon is an opportunity to raise awareness about malaria which affects between 300 and 500 million people every year, over 90% of whom live in Africa. Malaria kills over one million men, women and children every year. In Tanzania one person dies of malaria every 10 minutes.