Arusha. The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) has strongly opposed the Zanzibar’s newly introduced policy requiring foreign tourists to purchase inbound travel insurance starting October 1.
Under the new regulation, all non-resident visitors must obtain this insurance, which costs $44, in addition to their Tanzania e-Visa.
Tato chairman Wilbard Chambulo has faulted the policy as an unnecessary and duplicative burden on tourists.
“The proposed compulsory insurance policy is irrational. It’s rare for tourists to travel without insurance, so this requirement is a needless duplication,” he said. International travel agents, according to Mr Chambulo, are questioning the rationale behind requiring tourists to buy insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), a government-run entity.
He argued that the insurance mandate should focus on those without existing coverage and allow tourists to choose from a range of insurance providers.
“The government’s role should be to ensure that all visitors have insurance, not to dictate the price or the provider,” Mr Chambulo added.
He described the policy as resembling a tax rather than a legitimate requirement.
Mr Chambulo expressed concern that while the $44 fee might not significantly deter tourists, it could harm Zanzibar’s reputation.
He proposed an alternative such as a Zanzibar conservation fee, which could fund tourism development and healthcare infrastructure.
This, he suggested, might be more acceptable to tourists than the compulsory insurance.
Further, Mr Chambulo questioned whether ZIC, acting as the main insurer, functions as a commission agent and how much of the $44 fee it retains.
He stressed that government involvement in what should be a private sector matter risks creating a monopolistic impression.
The Zanzibar government’s policy mandates that from October 1, all foreign visitors entering Zanzibar must purchase inbound travel insurance for up to 92 days.
The insurance, available exclusively from ZIC starting September 1, covers emergencies such as medical repatriation, evacuation, and other contingencies.
Visitors who stay beyond 92 days must purchase a new policy, and non-compliance could result in entry denial.
The policy aims to ensure visitor safety and address potential travel risks but has faced criticism for potentially undermining Zanzibar’s tourism appeal.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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