Zanzibar moves to online-only licensing for tourism operators

Dar es Salaam. The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) has announced that, starting from March this year, all tourism operating licences will be issued exclusively through its online licensing system to enhance efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the sector.

A press statement released by the commission’s public relations unit yesterday stated that licences issued before March 3, 2025 will remain valid until their expiration date. However, all new applications and renewals must be processed through the online system thereafter.

“We urge all tourism stakeholders, including tour operators, guides, accommodation providers and other service providers to apply for new licences and renewals via the official online portal, https://zct.co.tz/,” reads part of the statement.

According to the statement, all tourism-related businesses must obtain and renew their licences through the new system. Business owners will be required to print and display their online-issued licences at their premises.

Stakeholders have been encouraged to register early to avoid last-minute delays

The ZCT’s initiative comes as Zanzibar recorded 84,069 international visitors in January this year, reflecting a 14.4 percent increase compared to 73,468 visitors in January last year.

However, this figure represents an 8.2 percent decline from the 91,611 visitors recorded in December 2024.

European tourists dominated the market, accounting for 73.9 percent of total visitors in January 2025. 

Among them, Italians made up the largest share at 13.9 percent, followed by Polish visitors at 9.7 percent. New Zealand recorded the lowest number of visitors, contributing just 0.2 percent of the total.