Arusha. More than 1,500 artists, sculptors, painters and art traders from around the world are expected to gather in Arusha this October for the three-day Tanzania International Tourism Festival (TITF), an event aimed at promoting Tanzania’s visual arts, cultural heritage and tourism while creating new business opportunities and international markets for African art.
Speaking during a press briefing on July 3, 2026, Director of Arts and Tourism Promotion Ibrahim Othman Jamal said the festival will bring together artists and tourism stakeholders to exchange experiences, learn modern artistic techniques, particularly through technology, understand global market trends and showcase Tanzania’s tourism attractions through painting and sculpture. He added that the event seeks to connect local artists with financial services, global buyers and emerging technologies in line with Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
Chairperson of the Technical Committee Andrew Goba said the programme will feature art exhibitions, tourism awareness sessions, discussions on intellectual property rights, global art market trends, financing opportunities and the use of technology to improve artistic production and marketing. Government officials, financial institutions and digital platforms will also participate to engage directly with exhibitors and explore ways of supporting the creative industry.
Mr Goba encouraged artists and university students involved in innovation and creative design to register early and secure exhibition space, describing the festival as a valuable opportunity to showcase their work, access international markets and expand commercial opportunities.
President of the Tanzania Crafts Federation Rukia Walele said the federation, which represents more than 50 craft associations, will participate fully and urged sculptors, potters, textile weavers, fashion designers, beauticians and furniture makers to attend. Festival co-founder Joseph Rumanyika said the event is expected to strengthen Arusha’s position as a leading destination for cultural tourism, creative industry investment and international artistic exchange while creating new income opportunities for thousands of artists and artisans.