Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia says Tanzania is preparing to use the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism attractions to a global audience.
Karia said the TFF will work closely with the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) to ensure that visitors coming to the country for the tournament have the opportunity to discover and visit some of Tanzania’s major tourist attractions.
According to Karia, some of the stadiums selected to host AFCON 2027 matches are located within or near tourist destinations, making it easier for visitors to combine their football experience with tourism activities during the tournament.
He added that scheduled rest days during the competition will give international visitors more opportunities to explore different destinations across the country, including Zanzibar, as well as other areas known for their unique tourist attractions.
Karia said the opportunity is particularly important for Tanzania because AFCON 2027 will place the country in the global spotlight, with millions of football fans expected to follow the tournament from across Africa and beyond.
He further explained that the partnership between the TFF and TTB is intended to ensure that Tanzania benefits from AFCON 2027 beyond football, using the tournament as a platform to promote the country’s tourism sector and attract more international visitors.
In this regard, AFCON 2027 is expected to be more than just a football tournament, as Tanzania aims to use the event as a global platform to promote the country, its culture and its tourism attractions.
Karia said the success of the strategy will become clearer after the tournament, when Tanzania will be able to assess the results of efforts made to use AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to boost tourism.
AFCON 2027 is therefore being viewed as a major opportunity for Tanzania to combine the power of football and tourism, while the eyes of the world turn to the country.
