This is what local and foreign tour operators in Tanzania will now be paying

Tanzania has introduced new licences fees for tour operators effective from end of January.

The ministry of Tourism on Friday published new fees for the Tanzania Tourism Business Licence (TTBL) to replace the flat rates of $5,000 for foreign-owned tour companies and $2,000 for locals that it scrapped last November.

Tourism permanent secretary, Major General Gaudence Milanzi, said the amendments were gazetted in the Government Notice No. 506 of December 29, 2017.

“All existing business are required to submit copies of vehicle registration as well as copies of business licence for the year 2017,” he said in a statement.

In the new fee structure, foreign tour investors will be required to pay $5,000 for 10 to 30 vehicles annually and $7,500 for 31 to 50 vans.

Those with 51 and above vehicles will be charged $10,000.

Local companies with one to three tourist vans will pay a licence fee of $500; those with four and 10 vans will pay $2,000; 11 and 50 vans will be charged $3,000; and 51 and above $5,000.

Tanzania has more wild animals per square kilometre than any other country in Africa and features high on the list of ‘must visit’ African countries.

However it also comes with many bottle-necks and unfriendly rates which hinders the industry from reaching its full potential.

Maj-Gen Milanzi said all existing 2017 TTBLs will remain valid until January 31 to enable operators renew the licences under the new rates

Last December, Tourism minister Hamisi Kigwangalla in a meeting with the sector stakeholders in Arusha said the new fee structure will allow investors with few cars acquire licences as well as increase government revenues.