Police officers equipped with skills on how to handle Tourists and foreigners visiting Tanzania

Zara Tanzania Adventures in association with the College of Africa Wildlife in Kilimanjaro and Police Tanzania have supported training sessions targeting security officers in the country.

The special empowerment training equipped local Police officers and other security organs with the knowledge on how to handle foreign visitors and tourists arriving in Tanzania.

Dubbed ‘Capacity building on tourism and diplomacy police training,’ the cops empowerment sessions brought together police officers from different parts of Tanzania, people in charge of tourism communications and transport departments.

The training which was graced by the Police Commissioner for Operations and Training, Awadhi Haji took place at the Moshi Police Training College (CCP) in Kilimanjaro.

According to Zara Tanzania Adventures, Police officers can also become an important part of visitors experience and that is why the company decided to equip them with additional tools and knowledge regarding the sector.

But why Moshi?

According to Commissioner Awadhi, Moshi Municipality happens to be the main gateway for tourists and other foreigners who sample Northern Tanzania’s tourist attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mkomazi National Park.

“We therefore saw the need to have our police officers equipped with the knowledge on how to handle and communicate with foreigners landing in Tanzania,” said Commissioner Awadh during the opening of the training session.

The Deputy Rector for Academic, Research and Consultancy at the College of Africa Wildlife Management (Mweka), Professor Alex Kisingo was among the facilitators at the training session.

“Understanding the significance of modern tourism is important in order to equip local manpower with the proper knowledge in addressing the challenges arising from the activities of the current travel industry,” said Prof Kisingo.

Other trainers include, Dr Noel Nthangu from the University of Dar-es-salaam (UDSM), Dr Richard Kisasembe and Dr Ebeneezer Goroi both from the Mweka college of Africa wildlife Management in Kilimanjaro.

Also taking part in the facilitation was Dr. Alfred Kimea, the former Member of Parliament for Korogwe Town.

The Police training was organized by one expert in the field, Andrew Makang’a. 

Makang’a himself was keen on customer care accorded to foreign visitors by police officers and other people from various sectors that comprises the tourism industry in Tanzania.

He pointed out that tourism cuts across diplomacy and economic sectors and therefore a sensitive industry which needs to be handled with care.

On his part, the Head of Information Technology and Marketing Officer for Zara Tanzania Adventures, Hoseana Nyingi pointed out when international travelers consider a destination, they usually don’t just evaluate attractions alone but also ponder peace, security, transport, and hospitality of the particular country.

“Visitors have a tendency to share experiences on social media and online outlets such as Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Google Reviews and other social networks,” Nyingi added.