AS tourism steadily recovers from Covid-19 disruptions, private sector stakeholders are asking the government to review the Tourism Act of 2009 so as to improve the business environment.

The plea was made at the end of a two-day ‘validation workshop and Public Private Dialogue (PPD) on reforms and priorities for Zanzibar tourism sector’ held here.

The participants requested for a review of the tourism law to improve the entry conditions and incentives for different actors in order to promote investment in the tourism sector.

The tourism stakeholders also agreed that the government should consider accelerating implementations of the ‘tourism diplomatic policy’ formed last year, to enhance security in tourist hotspots.

They also asked the government also to support capacity building to strengthen professionalism and competency of actors in both public and private sectors along the value chain to promote image of Zanzibar and the tourism industry, and consider the proposal to reduce the tourism license fee for tour guide from 100 US dollars to 70 US dollars.

At the workshop organized by the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) with support from International Finance Corporation (IFC), facilitators led by IFC consultant Dr Josephat Kweka emphasized on collaboration with government for reforms.

Mr Ibrahim Mesas from the diving tourism, said that the diving license fees are very high up to 3,000 US dollars, and that many local operators cannot afford to run diving companies.

“We kindly ask the government to review the fee along with the tour guide fee.” Mr Ali Amour, National chairperson of ZNCC said the government has been improving environment for the tourism business, but they have also identified challenges in the tourism industry.

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