DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 12 -- TANZANIAS forest tourism is expanding, with the number of visitors to forest reserves rising from fewer than 200 in 2015 to more than 390,000 annually, according to the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), with projects supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) contributing to the sectors development.

The growth points to efforts to diversify the countrys tourism attractions beyond wildlife and strengthen the economic value of forest resources while supporting conservation.

Speaking during the national dialogue on the ninth replenishment cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-9), TFS Conservation Officer, Mr Yusuf Tango said GEF-funded projects had helped develop forest tourism by supporting improvem...