Sustainable Tourism Tanzania
Sustainable Tourism Tanzania (STTZ) is a specialized Research, Innovation, and Consultancy Startup (Registration Index Number 596953) dedicated to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices across Tanzania.
We are committed to ensuring that tourism remains a powerful force for positive change, benefiting both people and nature. Our mission is to join hands with stakeholders in shaping a sustainable future for Tanzanian and Africa's tourism industry.
To promote and implement sustainable tourism practices that balance environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and economic development while empowering local communities across Tanzania and East Africa.
To be the leading catalyst for sustainable tourism transformation in Tanzania and Africa, creating a future where tourism thrives in harmony with nature and communities.
Sustainability, integrity, innovation, community empowerment, environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and collaborative partnerships guide everything we do.
Our core services and expertise
We provide comprehensive training programs, workshops, and seminars on sustainable tourism principles, certification programs, and best practices for tourism professionals.
Conducting cutting-edge research on sustainable tourism trends, environmental impact assessments, and innovative solutions for the tourism industry.
Expert consultation on sustainable tourism development, certification standards, policy planning, and strategic advisory services for businesses and destinations.
Working directly with local communities to develop sustainable tourism initiatives that preserve cultural heritage while providing economic benefits.
Helping tourism operators, destinations, and excursions achieve international sustainable tourism certification and meet global standards.
Developing and implementing innovative projects focused on eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, and sustainable hospitality practices.
The importance of responsible tourism practices
Preserving Tanzania's unique ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources for future generations while reducing the carbon footprint of tourism activities.
Creating long-term economic value for local communities through fair employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, and diversified income sources.
Protecting and celebrating Tanzania's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and indigenous knowledge while promoting respectful cultural exchange.
How we create sustainable tourism solutions
We conduct thorough assessments of current tourism practices, environmental impact, and community needs to identify opportunities for improvement.
Creating customized sustainability strategies aligned with international standards and tailored to local contexts and stakeholder needs.
Providing hands-on guidance, training, and resources to help stakeholders implement sustainable practices effectively.
Continuous monitoring of sustainability indicators and regular evaluation to ensure long-term success and positive impact.
Sustainable Tourism Tanzania (STTZ) is oriented toward the development of practical, evidence-based approaches and innovative solutions, equipping tourism stakeholders with robust analytical foundations, applied tools, and strategic knowledge to effectively anticipate, address, and adapt to emerging and future challenges in sustainable tourism.
STTZ brings together interdisciplinary expertise, builds strategic synergies, and mobilizes research and funding initiatives to advance sustainable tourism development in Tanzania.
To achieve its objectives, STTZ operates across the following core areas:
SUSTAIN-TZ is a multi-stakeholder collaborative platform established to advance sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient tourism across Tanzania. We bring together tourism and travel stakeholders [researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, community organizations, conservation agencies, and development partners] to co-create solutions that enhance environmental stewardship, socio-economic benefits, and destination resilience. The Network serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation diffusion, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that tourism remains a transformative force for people, nature, and local economies in Tanzania and the wider African region.
To promote and coordinate applied research and innovation that support sustainable, regenerative, and climate-resilient tourism development in Tanzania.
To facilitate structured knowledge sharing, co-learning, and collaboration among tourism and travel stakeholders across local, national, and international scales.
To strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of tourism stakeholders through training, mentorship, and evidence-based advisory and consultancy services.
To build and strengthen inclusive networks that link communities, industry, academia, and policymakers, and to translate research and innovation outcomes into actionable policies and best practices for sustainable tourism.
The Hub acts as a catalyst for knowledge transfer, systems thinking, and scalable solutions that integrate social, cultural, economic, and ecological sustainability, supporting a just transition toward future-ready tourism ecosystems.
UTalii-Lab [Sustainable Tourism Innovation Lab] is the applied research and innovations arm of Sustainable Tourism Tanzania (STTZ), designed as a collaborative space for co-creating practical solutions for sustainable tourism development.
The Lab convenes researchers, tourism operators, communities, technologists, policymakers, and creatives to jointly design, test, and refine innovative ideas that respond to real sustainability challenges in tourism destinations. Through participatory co-creation processes, UTalii-Lab supports the development of prototypes, pilot projects, and scalable tourism products and services. They include among others ranging from nature-based & eco-tourism experiences, digital tools, community-based business models and climate-smart practices. Through action research, the Lab accelerates innovation that enhances environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and economic resilience within Tanzania's tourism sector.
A research-to-practice program that co-creates and pilots Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and climate adaptation innovations within tourism destinations. Activities include ecosystem restoration linked to tourism, carbon-smart tourism operations, climate risk tools for destinations, and resilience planning with park authorities and communities.
A participatory innovation program that works with local communities, tour operators, and conservation partners to co-design, prototype, and pilot community-based tourism products. The program focuses on equitable benefit sharing, cultural heritage valorisation, women and youth entrepreneurship, and nature-positive tourism models.
An accelerator supporting the development and testing of eco-friendly tourism products and services, including low-impact accommodation concepts, responsible tour packages, digital interpretation tools, and climate-smart visitor experiences. The program provides mentorship, rapid prototyping, market testing, and pathways to scale.
A program focused on designing and testing digital solutions that enhance sustainability performance and visitor engagement. This includes destination data platforms, sustainability monitoring tools, digital storytelling and heritage interpretation products, and smart tourism applications that promote responsible visitor behaviour.
A capacity-building and policy-linkage program that translates research and innovation outcomes into training modules, certification support, policy briefs, and guidelines for tourism stakeholders. The program strengthens institutional capacity, supports sustainability standards adoption, and fosters dialogue between innovators, industry, and policymakers.
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