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Dar, Zanzibar to feature in BA film
2005-09-26 08:47:07
By Correspondent Mohamed Ugasa
British Airways (BA) has chosen Tanzania as the setting for the airline’s new commercial whose shooting gets underway this week in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
BA Tanzania Country Manager Saada Juma said yesterday that
Tanzania was selected from among 83 countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and added that this was the first time that the carrier was using locations in Africa for its commercials.
An eight-member film crew arrived in Dar es Salaam from London yesterday morning for the filming of the commercial to be shown as part of the airline’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) and used at airports, exhibitions and other related events around the world.
The crew comprises producer Debbie Skelton, director Matt McConaghy, production manager Harnake Hunspal, production assistant Lulu Lorry and cameramen Bruce Parker and Tom Hooker.
They will team up with locally based experts Peter Jones of Tanganyika Films and translator Jombi Kivuyo.
Several prominent Tanzanians, whose names were not immediately available, will appear in the clip whose scenes will include locations in the centre of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and beaches in the two cities.
BA Marketing Manager Clive Peoples, who is supervising the work, said the market in central Zanzibar, popularly referred to as marikiti, had been voted as the best scene for the film, beating famous sites in various big cities around the world.
The filmmakers have been impressed by the vibrant scenery of the market which they hope will be highly appealing to viewers.
Juma said the commercial would go a long way in attracting tourists to Tanzania.
’’We are very pleased with the decision to use locations in our commercial capital and the Island of Zanzibar for this commercial which will be viewed by millions of passengers. This will help to show our country’s varied attractions of our country to potential holiday makers,’’ she said.
The film would be beneficial both to the airline and the country in terms of helping them attract more passengers and tourists, respectively, Juma added.
The airline is working hand in glove with the Tanzania Tourist Board and other stakeholders to promote tourism.
The carrier also regularly organises study tours to Britain for travel agents, tour operators and journalists.
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