STORY: Tanzania gains popularity among Chinese tourists
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 30, 2024/file
DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:11
LOCATION: KILIMANJARO, Tanzania
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Serval Wildlife
2. various of Wang Shupeng's family enjoying their holiday at Serval Wildlife
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG SHUPENG, Chinese tourist in Tanzania
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG YUTANG, Wang Shupeng's daughter
5. various of Serval Wildlife
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): FAHAD NASSOR HAMUD, Managing director of Serval Wildlife
7. various of Chinese tourists in Tanzania (file)

STORYLINE:

Attracted by its abundant wildlife and rich cultural heritage, more and more Chinese are flocking to Tanzania during holidays.

Wang Shupeng's family is enjoying their holiday at Serval Wildlife, a wildlife sanctuary located in the Kilimanjaro region of the East African country.

The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of animals, including African lions, colobus monkeys, wildebeests, and giraffes.

The family said they enjoy observing wild animals and experiencing local customs here.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG SHUPENG, Chinese tourist in Tanzania
"Overall, my family, including my wife and my children, have a particular fondness for animals, especially those in the wild.
It's our first time at Serval Wildlife, where we can have up-close interactions with the animals. The experience has been exceptional, and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG YUTANG, Wang Shupeng's daughter
"We can observe the life of local people and enjoy local conditions and customs. The slower pace of life and distinctive features of this region make us feel very comfortable, and I am quite fond of it. I'm looking forward to (celebrating the Chinese New Year in Tanzania) as it is an experience I have not had before."

According to the sanctuary, Chinese people are among the leading visitors, especially during festivals.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): FAHAD NASSOR HAMUD, Managing director of Serval Wildlife
"One of our biggest customers especially here in Serval Wildlife is Chinese, and mostly they like to travel when they have these kinds of festivals like the New Year."

According to officials at the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Tanzania has increased by 32.4 percent from 33,541 in 2019 to 44,438 in 2023 as a result of enhanced promotion of Tanzania to the Chinese market.

Tanzania had identified China, Russia, and India as Tanzania's new strategic tourism markets, aiming to meet the country's target of attracting 5 million international tourist arrivals by 2025.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
(XHTV)