CRDB Bank has introduced an e-commerce services, geared to address challenges facing the Tanzania’s tourism industry, including removing unnecessary inconveniences to tourists, visiting the country’s fascinating tourist destinations.

The service is geared to avail a number of business opportunities to tour operators and hoteliers, who for years relied on ‘point of sale’ payment systems, which is now considered outdated.

CRDB Bank’s director of alternative banking channels, Joseph Witts said the new service is currently on trial and will be fully operational by later next month.

“This service is unique and will give an opportunity for tourists pay on-line even before getting into the country,” Witts said on Thursday evening when presenting a paper to tour operators and hoteliers, who were gathered at a function organized by Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO).

Witts added: “This will also address the bureaucracy tourists have been facing when it comes to payments,” as under the system, tour operators can use the internet to reach a global clientele from US, Europe and as far as Asia.

“With a world population of seven billion, this is a rosy prospect. Tanzania’s tour operators need to explore this potential so as to grow and make the sector also go up.”

“Online payment as the main form of electronic payment is based on the internet, using bank supported financial instruments, from buyer to seller and then between financial institutions, online currency payments, cash flow, capital clearing and query processing system.”

In Africa, Tanzania will be the fourth country to operate under the newly introduced system after Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.

“What is needed is for tour operators in their respective companies to have a website that will avail all services offered with prices, and tourists abroad be able to access the service and pay for it before starting their journey to Tanzania,” the director explained.

“This is a very convenient service, as a tour operator wake up in the morning and find money deposited in his/her account. This will also give enough time for tour operator to prepare for the incoming tourists,” he added.

Witts said that under the new arrangement, the number of tourists visiting Tanzania will increase, enhancing the sector’s contribution positively to the country’s economy.

He also revealed that the bank has improved its internet banking outreach whereby customers can access a wider range of services.