(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Tanzania unveiled plans to revamp its tourism industry in a post-Covid-19 period. TSh90.2 billion ($39.2 million) will be set aside for this project.

Tourism Minister Damas Ndumbaro said the money will be drawn from the $567.25 million provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country get out of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Overall, 23 projects will be implemented in five tourism segments. TSh23.4 billion will be used to rehabilitate 5,875 km of roads in ten localities and protected forests to make tourist sites more accessible. TSh1 billion will go for the installation of electronic vehicle monitoring systems.

The government also plans to invest TSh13.3 billion in repairing seven cultural heritage centers, building a tourist information center in Burigi Reserve, building a digital reporting center, and holding two international exhibitions to boost marketing. TSh3 billion will be used to renovate some of the country's airports (Serengeti, Nyerere, Tarangire, Mkomazi, Saadan, and Katavi) and TSh1.8 billion will be used to boost tourism trade.

The strategy is expected to be a lever for an economic upswing after the harsh times that came with the pandemic. Tourism is Tanzania’s main source of foreign currency. The Tanzanian economy has often hovered around 7% over the past ten years but the pandemic has caused it to fall to 4.8% in 2020 (IMF data). Authorities hope the economy will get back on track in the next few years.