TOURISM:
Switzerland’s leading leisure airline, Edelweiss has announced to add Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, as its three new destinations in Tanzania, East Africa from October 2021, offering a ray of hope to the country’s multi-million dollar tourism industry.
Edelweiss will fly from Zurich, Switzerland to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania twice a week from 8th October on Fridays and Saturdays, with one of the flights carrying on to Zanzibar following a stop in Kilimanjaro.
The direct flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania will depart from Zurich, Switzerland at 22h30 on Fridays and Saturdays, arriving in Kilimanjaro at 07h40 next day.
The Edelweiss flight to Zanzibar will depart Kilimanjaro at 09h10 on Saturdays and arrive in Zanzibar at 10h15.
This flight will return to Zurich direct from Zanzibar on Saturdays, departing at 11h30 and arriving in Zurich at 19h30.
From 12 October 2021, Swiss International Air Lines flight to Dar es Salaam will operate once a week with a stopover in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Swiss International Air Lines flight depart Zurich at 22h30 on Tuesdays and arrive in Kilimanjaro at 07h40 next day.
The flight will depart Kilimanjaro at 09h10 and arrive in Dar es Salaam at 10h20.
The return flight direct to Zurich departs Dar es Salaam at 12h35 on Wednesdays and arrives in Zurich at 19h30.
According to analysts, Edelweiss Air offers Tanzania’s USD 2.6 billion tourism industry a strategic partnership to achieve its target of attracting five million tourists and generating USD 6 billion in foreign exchange in 2025.
“To add three destinations in Tanzania during toughest times, is not only a vote of confidence to the country, but also a boost to its travel industry to realize its target of five-million tourists in 2025 ” the Swiss Tanzania’s General Manager, Mr. André Bonjour .
“The airline reliably ensures a pleasant and carefree travel time to the holiday destination and looks after the safety and well being of its guests with commitment and cordiality,” Mr. Bonjour noted.
Mr. Bonjour said that the holiday destinations could be combined perfectly to experience the Tanzania’s full diversity.
Indeed, holidays in Tanzania are paradise, as the country fascinates with its wealth of nature and its diverse animal world.
According to Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) chairman, Mr Wilbard Chambulo, the Tazania tourism industry welcomes Edelweiss Air with open hands and he commended the timing.
TATO boss added: “The deal means to open-up endless opportunities not only for our members, but the entire tourism value chain as Swiss will promote and market Tanzania destinations to the higher end Swiss and other clientele”.
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators CEO, Mr Sirili Akko said that his organization has been in talks with the Edelweiss Air to develop strategic synergies, as an urgent measure to support the tourism industry rebound in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic.
