For almost three decades, eTurboNews (eTN) has reported on Tanzania with admiration and respect. Since 1999, the publication has covered the country’s tourism industry almost daily, highlighting its wildlife, culture, conservation achievements, and the dedication of its tourism professionals. Throughout those 28 years, Tanzania has remained one of Africa’s most important tourism destinations in eTN’s coverage.
Today, that relationship has entered uncharted territory.
Following months of investigation, eTurboNews, together with the World Tourism Network (WTN) and the African Tourism Board (ATB), is publicly distancing itself from previous positive coverage of the Tanzania Tourism Sector Safety and Protection System (TTSSP) after discovering evidence suggesting the organization may have operated under false government legitimacy while receiving endorsements, cooperation, and promotion from numerous Tanzanian government entities.
The investigation also raises broader questions about the conduct of Tanzanian government authorities—including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), Tanzanian embassies abroad, and other agencies—which either actively promoted TTSSP or have now refused to answer questions after concerns emerged.
A Relationship Built on Trust
The story began in good faith.
On August 27, 2025, eTurboNews was contacted via WhatsApp by Dr. Majaliwa, who identified himself as the Chief Executive Secretary of TTSSP.
Over the following months, Dr. Majaliwa communicated with eTN almost daily. He presented TTSSP as a government-backed initiative created to improve tourism safety, combat fraud, protect visitors, certify legitimate tourism businesses, and serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors.
The concept appeared both credible and necessary.
TTSSP shared complaints from travelers who had allegedly been defrauded by tour operators. It invited eTN to participate in Zoom meetings involving Chinese tour operators who claimed they had lost substantial amounts of money after paying Tanzanian suppliers whose reservations never materialized.
The organization also shared correspondence from travelers expressing concern about political violence surrounding Tanzania’s elections. TTSSP’s responses appeared professional, reassuring, and entirely consistent with the responsibilities of a government-supported tourism safety organization.
Nothing suggested otherwise.
Requests for Publicity
On September 5, 2025, Dr. Majaliwa thanked eTurboNews for nearly three decades of editorial support for Tanzania and requested a proposal valued at US$50,000 to promote TTSSP internationally. He also requested a separate proposal to promote TTSSP in connection with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Like many organizations seeking international visibility, TTSSP appeared interested in expanding its global profile.
Editorial coverage continued independently.
Appointments That Appeared Legitimate
On November 18, 2025, TTSSP announced the appointment of Mrs. Rosemary Severine Mato, a Tanzanian tourism entrepreneur based in the Netherlands, as its official representative there.
eTurboNews reported the appointment, believing TTSSP to be a legitimate public initiative.
Subsequent investigations indicate that Mrs. Mato herself appears to have believed the organization was legitimate and accepted the appointment in good faith.
Government Recognition Everywhere
Throughout late 2025, TTSSP appeared to receive remarkable official recognition.
Official correspondence showed Tanzanian embassies introducing TTSSP to tourism stakeholders worldwide.
One example came from the Tanzanian Embassy in Moscow:
“The Embassy has submitted the relevant information regarding the Tanzania Tourism Sector Safety and Protection Institute to various authorities involved in Tourism in Russia as well as Agents selling Tanzanian Tourism attractions…”
Government documents further stated that TTSSP had been introduced to Tanzanian embassies and high commissions worldwide, encouraging tourism stakeholders to become certified and pay annual certification fees.
One official document listed:
- TTSSP certification fee: TSh 75,000 annually
- Payment through Lipa Number 16179245 (Mixx by Yas)
- Certified businesses would receive TTSSP recommendations globally through Tanzanian embassies.
To tourism operators, the distinction between TTSSP and the Tanzanian government appeared nonexistent.
Tourism Businesses Paid Fees
eTurboNews has now learned that dozens of Tanzanian tourism businesses reportedly paid certification or licensing fees, believing TTSSP represented an official government initiative.
Those businesses expected that certification would be recognized by the government.
Instead, concerns have emerged that those payments may never have reached government accounts.
If confirmed, this would represent a significant misrepresentation affecting private businesses throughout Tanzania.
International Organizations Joined
Based upon the information available at the time:
- On December 2, 2025, TTSSP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Africa’s Wild & Free Travel Tribe that included a revenue-sharing arrangement.
- On December 13, 2025, the World Tourism Network granted TTSSP complimentary membership.
- WTN introduced internationally recognized tourism security expert Dr. Peter Tarlow to assist in developing proposals for tourism policing and destination safety initiatives in Tanzania.
- WTN also introduced TTSSP to its member TravelNetSoft , a German-based technology company, which also discussed ambitious plans involving booking technology, communication systems, licensing integration, and public-private cooperation.
None of these initiatives would have been pursued had there been any indication that TTSSP lacked legitimate government authority.
Even Major Industry Players Appeared Convinced
TTSSP’s credibility extended beyond media organizations.
Large booking companies, including SAFARIGO, referenced or recommended the organization.
International tour operators accepted its credentials. Chinese tourism companies participated in discussions.
Numerous stakeholders acted on the belief that TTSSP represented an officially recognized Tanzanian tourism safety initiative.
The First Warning Signs
Without a doubt, the concept is ingenious and could be implemented well if the players were legitimate. It could serve as a much-needed model for other countries.
Everything changed in early May. On May 4, TTSSP distributed what appeared to be an updated membership list.
Soon afterward, communication abruptly stopped. Telephone numbers became unreachable. Websites disappeared.
Social media activity ceased. Emails went unanswered.
Several tourism businesses reported paying fees without receiving further communication.
Others expressed concern that TTSSP representatives had simply vanished.
Attempts to Verify the Facts
eTurboNews immediately began contacting Tanzanian authorities.
Requests were sent to:
- The Tanzania Tourist Board
- The Ministry responsible for tourism
- Air Tanzania
- Tanzanian embassies in Tokyo and Berlin
Emails received no response.
Telephone calls produced little cooperation.
At the Tanzanian Embassy in Berlin, the individual answering the telephone refused to provide her name, stated that the information had already been forwarded to Tanzania, and said the embassy was not interested in discussing the matter further or receiving additional calls.
The Only Official Response
Eventually, eTurboNews reached Mr. EPHRAIM MAFURU, Director General of the Tanzania Tourist Board.
After numerous unanswered emails and telephone calls, he replied via WhatsApp with only two lines:
“TTSSP is not a reliable company and cannot operate on behalf of any Government institution.”
He further advised waiting for the embassy’s response. Mr. Mafuru declined all further questions.
He refused telephone interviews.
He provided no explanation regarding how TTSSP had been promoted for months through official government channels if it lacked authority.
Contradictions That Demand Answers
Perhaps the most troubling discovery is that, at the time of publication, TTSSP continued to appear on official Tanzanian tourism resources.
Government documents introduced TTSSP to embassies worldwide. Embassies circulated information on TTSSP to local travel and tourism stakeholders.
Official documents encouraged businesses to pay certification fees.
Yet Tanzania’s own Director General of the Tanzania Tourist Board now states TTSSP is not legitimate, refusing to provide more information. Those two positions cannot both be true.
Questions That Remain Unanswered
This investigation is no longer solely about TTSSP. It now concerns government accountability.
Among the unanswered questions are:
- Who authorized TTSSP to present itself as a government-supported initiative?
- Why were Tanzanian embassies instructed to promote TTSSP internationally?
- Why were tourism businesses encouraged to pay certification fees?
- Did government officials know where those payments were being directed?
- Were public funds, donor funds, or private-sector investments affected?
- Why have nearly all government agencies declined to answer legitimate media inquiries?
Additional Financial Questions
Separate concerns also deserve examination.
eTurboNews has received information suggesting that projects associated with TTSSP may have involved funding connected to TUI Care Foundation, reportedly amounting to approximately US$1.3 million.
eTN was provided the name of Alexander Panczuk in connection with TUI Care. At the time of publication, no response had been received.
Whether any donor funding was improperly represented or misdirected remains unknown and requires independent clarification.
Why eTurboNews Is Distancing Itself
eTurboNews regrets that its reporting contributed to the perceived legitimacy of TTSSP.
The publication acted in good faith based on extensive documentation, official government correspondence, embassy support, ministry references, public appointments, international partnerships, and continuous communication from TTSSP leadership.
Had any indication existed that TTSSP lacked legitimate government authority, eTN would never have published promotional or editorial coverage.
The World Tourism Network and the African Tourism Board have likewise suspended any association with TTSSP pending full clarification.
A Call for Transparency
This investigation is not an attack on Tanzania.
It is precisely because eTurboNews has supported Tanzania for nearly three decades that these questions must be asked.
Tanzania’s tourism industry deserves transparency.
Its honest tour operators deserve protection.
International visitors deserve confidence that organizations claiming government authority genuinely possess it.
Until Tanzanian authorities fully explain how TTSSP obtained international recognition, embassy support, ministry references, and widespread credibility before being declared illegitimate, serious concerns will remain regarding governance, oversight, and public accountability within institutions entrusted with protecting one of Africa’s most respected tourism destinations.
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