Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism is the government ministry of Tanzania that is responsible for the management of natural resources and cultural resources and for the development of the tourism industry. It has a wide range of investments in various tourist resources and tourism industry projects. Ministry offices are located in Dodoma. Dr. Damas Ndumbaro is the new Tourism Minister of Tanzania.
The Ministry's motto is "Tanzania Unforgettable".
History
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has its origins in Tanzania’s colonial-era conservation efforts. In 1959, the Tanganyika National Parks Ordinance was enacted, laying the legal foundation for the establishment and management of national parks. This ordinance marked the beginning of formal conservation efforts in the country.Following independence, the government expanded its focus on environmental and natural resource governance. The Wildlife Conservation Act of 1974 strengthened the framework for wildlife protection and sustainable use of biodiversity resources, helping establish wildlife reserves and management areas across the country.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Ministry underwent several institutional reforms aimed at unifying the management of tourism, forestry, wildlife, and cultural heritage under a single administrative structure. These reforms sought to improve efficiency, policy coordination, and service delivery within the sectors.
In April 2016, a major reorganization formalized the Ministry’s current structure under Government Notice No. 144. This restructuring emphasized integrated and participatory management of natural and cultural resources, positioning tourism as a key pillar of sustainable national development.
Organization
The work of the Ministry is organized into four basic workgroups:- Antiquities
- * Tanzanian Maritime Cultural Heritage Unit
- Tourism:
- * Tanzania National Parks Authority
- Wildlife Division* Est 1921:
- * Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority
- * Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
- *Tanzania National Parks Authority*
- Forestry and Beekeeping Division*
- * Tanzania Forest Agency