Summary
Al Barwani led the Dream Team Explorers on a visit to the Sao Hill Forest Plantation in 2024, where the team explored the area’s unique attractions, including its vast man-made forests, breathtaking natural scenery and the picturesque Ruaha River.
DAR ES SALAAM: Omani tourism influencer and travel broadcaster Mr Khalid Hamed Al Barwani, whose international promotion of Tanzania’s Sao Hill Forest Plantation drew global attention following his 2024 visit, has officially been appointed as Tanzania’s Honorary Tourism Ambassador in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s global tourism promotion and attracting more international visitors.
The honorary appointment was presented by the Director General of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Mr. Ephraim Mafuru, on behalf of the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, in recognition of Al Barwani’s outstanding contribution to promoting Tanzania through international tourism platforms.
Director General of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Mr. Ephraim Mafuru, (R) when presenting a honorary appointment to Mr Khalid Hamed Al Barwani on behalf of the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism.
Al Barwani led the Dream Team Explorers on a visit to the Sao Hill Forest Plantation in 2024, where the team explored the area’s unique attractions, including its vast man-made forests, breathtaking natural scenery and the picturesque Ruaha River.
The visit formed part of broader efforts to position Tanzania as a leading destination for nature-based and eco-tourism. Since then, Sao Hill has continued to emerge as one of the country’s promising tourism attractions, drawing increasing interest from both local and international visitors.
Following the tour, Al Barwani and his delegation expressed admiration for Sao Hill’s spectacular landscapes and pledged to promote the destination through their social media platforms and international travel networks. Their efforts significantly boosted the destination’s visibility in overseas tourism markets.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Mafuru said the government decided to honour Al Barwani for his remarkable role in showcasing Tanzania to the world. He noted that the appointment is part of a broader strategy to engage influential personalities and international stakeholders in marketing Tanzania’s tourism attractions.
He added that Honorary Tourism Ambassadors play a vital role in introducing Tanzania’s diverse attractions to new markets and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism industry.
Al Barwani‘s appointment is expected to further strengthen Tanzania’s international tourism campaign, particularly in promoting forest tourism destinations such as the Sao Hill Forest Plantation, while contributing to increased tourist arrivals and higher tourism revenues.
Tourism remains one of Tanzania’s leading sources of foreign exchange earnings.
