DODOMA, July 15 -- TOURISM sector strengthened its contribution to the economy as rising international visitor numbers boosted travel earnings and helped drive growth in the countrys service exports, according to the latest Bank of Tanzania (BoT) data.

International tourist arrivals increased by 5.9 per cent to 2.3 million in a year ending in June from 2.2 million recorded in the same period last year, supporting higher spending on accommodation, transport, hospitality and other tourismrelated services.

The increase in visitors lifted travel receipts by 9.5 per cent to 4.42 billion US dollars during the period, the BoT said in its latest Monthly Economic Review Report.

Overall service receipts rose by 14.2 per cent to 8.05 billion US d...