Few of Tanzania's tourist attractions have been labeled World Heritage Sites by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Out of 16 Tanzania's national parks and over 20 game reserves it's only, Ngorogoro crater, Serengeti national park, Mount Kilimanjaro, The Stone Town of Zanzibar, Selous Game Reserve, the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, Ruins of Songo Mnara and the Kolo Rock Arts of Kondoa.
The Conservator for Ngorogoro Conservation Area Authority, Dr Freddy Manongi, said the World Heritage Site status is the driving factor in Tanzania's tourism industry which so far is the leading economic bedrock for the country, employing more than 800,000 people directly and millions others indirectly.
“When you market the Tanzanian tourist attractions abroad, potential visitors usually ask, is this a ‘world heritage site?’ which goes to show that UNESCO acclaimed properties are the best selling points to sell the country’s destinations,” said Dr Manongi.
Tourism is now the leading foreign exchange earner, currently making an annual average of US $2.5 billion. While the second foreign exchange earner is country's gold exports which earns about US $ 1.6 billion.
Meanwhile Tanzania is reported to attract at least 1.2 million foreign visitors every year, mostly visiting the country for vacation in wildlife safaris, beach sun basking and cultural heritage sampling.
Moreover the Ngorogoro Conservation Area gets about an average of 500,000 tourist annually, while Serengeti gets 350,000 tourist, Mount Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar Stone Town and beaches gets 300,000 tourist annually.
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