ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN TOURISM TANZANIA
AWOTTA is a non-profit organisation established in 2011 to help empower women to reach their true potential, gain equality of opportunity and attain financial security within the Tanzania tourism sector
A Personal Message from
Mary C. Kalikawe – Chairperson
Thank you for visiting our website today.
We look forward to welcoming all visitors to Tanzania and serving our people through the emerging domestic tourism market during 2024.
Through the continued development of tourism, Tanzania will prosper and AWOTTA is committed to playing a key role in making this happen. Women make up 50% of the population and we will work tirelessly to ensure they have a fair and equal opportunity to achieve their aspirations whilst contributing to our country’s socio-economic objectives through participation in the tourism sector.
We are driven by the popular saying “Nani kama Mama”, which means that the children of Tanzania look to the next generation of women to lay the ground that will lead to their prosperity. We are proud to embrace this tradition within the tourism industry and I invite you to join us today in taking on this responsibility.
AWOTTA IS PROUD TO REPRESENT TANZANIAN WOMEN IN TOURISM ON REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGES
World Tourism Day Theme 2024:
“Tourism and Peace”
“The pursuit of peace is a continuing endeavour, and progress through tourism is more relevant than ever.
Tourism can play a vital role as a catalyst for fostering peace and understanding between nations and cultures and in supporting reconciliation processes.
Be inspired by our tourism friends in Bavaria, Germany, on International Tourism Day
International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.
And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women in Tanzania and across Africa.
IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM AWOTTA CHAIRPERSON
Obituary
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of one of AWOTTA’s founder members, Dr Shogo Mlozi Sedoyeka on 13th June 2024.
Dr Shogo was a trailblazer in the tourism sector and an inspiration to all who knew her.
A member of The East African Legislative Assembly and a passionate supporter of AWOTTA, her energy, wisdom, diplomacy and generosity helped our organisation achieve many of its objectives over the past 13 years. She was a friend to all and will be greatly missed.
Dr Shogo has left two newborn twins, three older children and a devoted husband, professor Eliamani Sedoyeka.
May God rest her soul in eternal peace.
2024 Objectives
AWOTTA’s objectives and focus areas during 2024 include:
1. Affiliation with the UNWTO to develop responsible and sustainable tourism
2. Accreditation by the African Tourism Board as the Ambassador organization in Tanzania for the development of domestic tourism, Inc. UWANDAE EXPO
3. Membership renewal of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation – AWOTTA members continue to win national and international awards for promoting the private sector
4. Support of the Confederation of Tourism Tanzania – AWOTTA continues to contribute strategic ideas
5. Tanzania National Business Council
6. Partnership with locally based embassies including Germany, Netherlands and the United States of America
7. Contribution to gender-based research groups and development organisations, including TGNP and UNWOMEN
8. Recruitment of new AWOTTA members and continued support for all women in the tourism sector of Tanzania
AWOTTA AGM TO BE CONFIRMED
New Year Message
As we enter 2024, AWOTTA will have existed for 13 impactful years!
I wish all members of AWOTTA, our friends, mentors, and affiliates another 365 days of never-ending solidarity and sisterhood.
Over the past year I have been inspired by our members who have come together in person and via our WhatsApp group, supporting one another and sharing important developments about the world around us. I have also been grateful to members who have represented AWOTTA in Mwanza, Iringa, Arusha, Dodoma, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, giving their precious time and resources at meetings, exhibitions and seminars. I thank you all.
I recognise the many challenges that we all face on a daily basis. Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is very slow, and many members are still struggling to regain the customers they lost with the global shutdown of the tourism sector. This, combined with our busy lifestyles and family and community commitments, has delayed our Annual General Meeting, which I am committed to address this year.
Meanwhile, increased investment in growing domestic tourism and encouraging tourism at the grassroots and school level will be amongst the endeavours we will continue to address.
We have sailed together as a pillar platform for women in the Tanzania tourism industry and forged partnerships on the international stage. There is still much to be done, and I look forward to working with you all and building on the progress we have made throughout the years.
Let me end with lots of thanks and Congratulations to the AWOTTA sisterhood.
Let’s make 2024 our most influential year ever!
Mary
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mary Kalikawe (Chairperson)
phone: (+255) 07594 24933
email: mkalikawe@awotta.org
