Tanzania, April 16 -- Dar es Salaam. The government has failed to fully utilise the potential of beaches to accelerate tourism along the coast, according to the Controller and Auditor General (CAG).

Tanzania has at least 1,424 kilometres of coastline that hold potential for tourism activities such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, water sports and sunbathing.

However, the CAG's latest audit report notes that despite the fact that 79 areas were identified as potential beach areas, 71 were not developed and utilised for tourism in the country.

Instead, the areas were being utilised for other purposes including small-scale farming (cashew nuts and coconuts), livestock keeping, and salt harvesting activities among others.

"This is d...