Tanzania is set to strengthen its appeal as a major African tourism and aviation destination when Plaza Premium Group opens a new passenger lounge at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam in September.

The facility will give international travellers a new premium space at one of the country’s busiest airports while highlighting Tanzania’s culture, food and hospitality.

The move comes as the country continues to improve travel infrastructure to support tourism, business and international connectivity.

Airport services have become an important part of the global travel experience, with passengers increasingly looking for comfort and convenience beyond flights.

For Tanzania, the arrival of an international airport hospitality brand adds to efforts to improve the visitor experience from arrival to departure.

Plaza Premium Group Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa, Emrecan Ergin, said Tanzania was selected because of its growing international connections and its importance as a tourism destination.

“Tanzania represents much more than a new location on our global footprint,” Ergin said.

“We see a country with strong potential, growing international connectivity and an increasingly important role as a tourism destination in Africa.”

New lounge to combine global standards with local identity

The Plaza Premium lounge at JNIA will have seating capacity for 86 passengers and will be located within a short walking distance of departure gates.

The facility will include comfortable seating areas, showers, charging stations, dining services and a selection of food and beverages for travellers from different markets.

Ergin said the lounge would reflect Tanzania’s identity by incorporating local design features, cuisine and cultural elements.

The company plans to work with airport authorities, airlines, travel agencies, financial institutions and tourism partners to ensure the facility meets passenger needs.

Investment supports Tanzania’s growing tourism ambitions

The lounge opening comes as Tanzania continues to attract visitors through its well-known destinations, including Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Improved airport services are expected to support the country’s wider efforts to compete for international tourists and business travellers.

Plaza Premium Group Africa board member Julius Kilonzo said travellers visiting Tanzania increasingly expect high-quality services throughout their journeys.

He added that the company’s international network could help promote Tanzania to passengers travelling through major airports across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Plaza Premium Group is a global airport hospitality company that operates passenger lounges, airport hotels, dining facilities and travel services across about 600 airports in more than 150 countries.

The company serves millions of travellers annually and has operations in key aviation markets, including Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Dubai and Istanbul.

The September opening of the JNIA lounge represents another step in Tanzania’s efforts to improve airport services and strengthen its position as a leading destination for tourism, trade and international travel.