Contribution of local handcrafts to the development of cultural tourism in Tanzania: a case study of mwenge cultural centre

The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of local handcrafts to the development of cultural tourism in Tanzania. This was conducted in the period of two months from February to April 2012 at Mwenge Cultural centre, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Tanzania Tourist Board. Both qualitative (focus group discussion and key informant interviews) and quantitative (simple table and chart analysis) methods were used in this study. An in depth analysis of data collected was done and the findings revealed that the government does not support these handcrafters in any way thus they feel isolated and unrecognized. Available laws on acquiring raw materials also hinder them from playing their roles effectively. However, the results put in the picture of how local handcrafts contribute to the development of cultural tourism in Tanzania. Under present situation, handcraft in relation to cultural tourism context is not taken care of at all. The study therefore reveals how this has created the perceptions that the government has failed to recognize the local handcraft business. The study finally provides some recommendations to the government on the need to create a good atmosphere and supportive policies for local handcrafters to participate fully in the development of cultural tourism in Tanzania as handcrafts contribute much to the development of the same. There is therefore, a substantial need to integrate local handcrafts and cultural tourism into the New National Tourism Policy that will be used after reviewing that of 1999.