The Ministry of Tourism and Heritage and the Zanzibar Tourism Commission have introduced new regulations for private residences looking to accommodate tourists.
Announced by Zanzibar's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mudrick Ramadhani Soraga, at a tourism stakeholders' meeting on July 4th, these regulations aim to ensure the safety and quality of tourist accommodations.
Key Points of the New Regulations
Registration and Licensing:
All private residences offering tourist accommodations must register and obtain a license from the Tourism Commission.
The registration fee is TSH 150,000 for the Mijini Magharibi Region (Zanzibar Urban West Region) and TSH 250,000 for other regions.
Safety and Standards:
To release the license, the Tourism Commission will conduct inspections to ensure the accommodations meet business standards.
According to the Ministry these measures are designed to ensure the safety and security of tourists staying in private residences.
Penalties:
Licenses can be revoked if obtained fraudulently, used for prohibited activities, or if the terms and conditions are violated.
Violators may face fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 or imprisonment from 2 to 5 years.
Applicable Areas:
The regulations currently apply only to specific areas within the Mijini Magharibi Region, including Stone Town, Mlandege, Fumba, Bububu, Chukwani, and Mbweni.
The Ministry have deemed that these new regulations are a significant step towards formalizing and regulating the non-hotel tourist accommodation sector in Zanzibar, ensuring a safer and more reliable experience for visitors.
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