ARUSHA: TOURISM stakeholders have emphasised the need for increased technical support, targeted financing and enabling policy frameworks to accelerate the integration of Nature based Solutions (NbS) across Tanzania’s tourism value chain.
They made the call during a recent high-level Nature based Solutions (NbS) Mainstreaming workshop held in Arusha to fast-track the adoption of NbS in the sector.
The workshop was organised by the CEO roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt), in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and key tourism stakeholders.
The session brought together conservation experts, private-sector actors, research institutions and representatives from public agencies committed to strengthening the country’s sustainability and climate-resilience agenda.
Participants highlighted emerging opportunities in community-based conservation models, coastal ecosystem restoration, regenerative agriculture for hospitality supply chains and eco-certified tourism infrastructure.
“Tourism is one of Tanzania’s most nature-dependent industries,” said CEOrt Project Manager Hawa Urungu.
“If we protect nature, we protect our markets. NbS offer a compelling pathway for tourism operators to reduce climate risks, strengthen destination resilience and meet global sustainability expectations. This is not just an environmental agenda; it is a business competitiveness agenda.”
Discussions underscored that integrating NbS can enhance visitor experience, protect heritage assets and unlock new streams of green investment, particularly as global travellers increasingly prefer nature-positive destinations.
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Despite strong progress, several tourism enterprises expressed readiness to scale up interventions but cited limited incentives, high upfront investment requirements and fragmented institutional coordination as persistent barriers.
Facilitated by experts including Dr Mike Musgrave of Newt Natural Capital, Dr Gileard Minja and Dr Nyanjige Mayala of Sustainable Tourism Tanzania (STTZ), the workshop explored how restoring landscapes, protecting watersheds, expanding community-led wildlife conservation and investing in blue carbon ecosystems can strengthen tourism competitiveness while advancing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.
Through its Business and Sustainability Pillar, CEOrt continues to position the private sector as a key driver of Tanzania’s green transformation.
Under the RESOLVE NbS Project, funded by NORAD and implemented in partnership with IUCN, CEOrt focuses on equipping businesses with practical guidance, case studies and financial insights to embed Nature-based Solutions into corporate sustainability strategies and investment decisions.