Tanzania is seeking investors from outside the country to help develop its tourism industry, and Tanzanian tourism minister, Jumanne Magembe, is targeting the Gulf region in particular. Qatar's national carrier, Qatar Airways, launched flights to Dar-es-Salaam in January this year, and Tanzanian authorities are now hoping to attract more investment from the country.

Tanzania says that in recent years over 700,000 tourists a year have spent their holidays in Tanzania (40% of them come from the UK), and the ministry intends to build this up to 2 million - although it gives no timeframe for this target. Tanzania is one of the most peaceful and stable countries in Africa, says the tourism minister, and its natural tourism assets include the Serengeti National Park, which recently joined the list of the world's new seven wonders, as well as an exceptional flora and fauna. Tourism infrastructure is now a priority for the government, he stressed, and it is focusing on upgrading roads and accommodation.