Rickshaw Travels had the privilege of participating in a forum held by HD Partnership (HDP), a hospitality development consultancy based in Tanzania last month. The aim of the event was to bring together sub Saharan as well as international tourism & hospitality professionals to network, share knowledge, discuss and build partnerships for a sustainable and pro-active development of Africa's travel industry.

This year's edition saw the participation of various stakeholders from both the Government and private sector including associations such as Hotels Association of Tanzania (HAT), airlines, tour & travel companies, hoteliers etc.

The event was well organized and allowed participants to follow presentation by key individuals in the tourism industry both national and international players. Topics presented were:

• STATE OF THE INDUSTRY AND CURRENT TRENDS, by Minister Adelhelm Meru, Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism
   
• STRUCTURING FOR GROWTH - Investment Incentives and Government Policies, by Saahil Lalit of Colliers International and Juliet Kairuki behalf of Tanzania Investment Centre
   
• STRUCTURING FOR GROWTH - Linkages for a Stronger Tourism & Hospitality Industry, by Omari Said Shaaban, Zanzibar Association of Tourism
   
• PEOPLE, PERFORMANCE, & PROFITABILITY: The Business Case Behind Human Capital, by Eric F. Shitindi, Ministry of Labour & Employment and Tony Reumerman, Asilia Africa
   
• HOTEL DEVELOPMENT FROM INVESTMENT TO OPERATIONS by Meelis Kuuskler, Hospitality Design Partnership and Mark Martinovic, Hotel Partners Africa
   
• DESIGN PANEL by Andrew Linwood, Areen Hospitality

After each topic was presented there was a panel discussion which also allowed members of the audience to participate with their own points and questions.

The Second Annual Hospitality Roundtable provided a healthy platform for discussions about the current state of affairs in the tourism industry and the challenges that face many stakeholders from different sectors, such as poor road access in the Southern Circuit. Participants equally gained knowledge about potential business opportunities, viable markets, advantage of mobile money, online travel agents, and pointers on how to improve their service level by getting to know who their clients are and accommo-dating them accordingly. After all, service is not about what you offer but how you offer it.

All in all, the Second Annual Hospitality Roundtable was a beneficial experience and Rickshaw Travels looks forward to the third edition in 2016.