THE Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has voiced strong opposition to a new policy that demands foreign tourists visiting Zanzibar to purchase inbound travel insurance.

Wilbard Chambulo, the TATO chairman, issued this objection when speaking to journalists here yesterday, referring to policy decisions that beginning October 1 tourists will need this insurance along with an e-Visa, with a fee of $44 for all non-resident visitors.

Expressing concerns on the development, he said that mandatory insurance is an unnecessary burden on tourists, insisting that the proposed compulsory insurance policy is irrational.

“It's rare for foreign tourists to travel without insurance, so imposing this requirement is a needless duplication," he declared, affirming that international travel agents are questioning why tourists must purchase additional insurance through a government-run corporation.

The insurance mandate should focus on travellers without coverage and provide them the freedom to choose from various insurance companies, he said, asserting that the government’s role should be to ensure that all visitors have insurance.

It should not dictate the price or the provider, he said, alluding to the fact that as it stands, “this policy resembles a form of taxation,” while acknowledging that the $44 fee may not deter many tourists.

He still expressed concern about its potentially negative impact on the image of Zanzibar as a destination, proposing alternatively that Zanzibar introduce a conservation fee or something similar, to be used for tourism development and healthcare infrastructure.

Tourists would be more willing to accept this compared to the clearly redundant insurance coverage, he said, raising questions about the main insurer and whether the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) acts as a commission agent.

"If yes, how much percent does ZIC retain out of the $44?" he queried, stressing that the government should not interfere in what should be a private sector matter.

"Market forces should determine these aspects, or we risk giving the world the impression of reinstating a monopoly on what happens in health or insurance provision," he said.

The Zanzibar government said that incoming travellers via seaport or airport must have valid inbound travel insurance covering up to 92 days, asserting that the mandate seeks to ensure visitors' safety and mitigate potential travel risks.

The insurance uptake is exclusively vested with ZIC from September 1, offering “comprehensive coverage for emergencies, including repatriation, evacuation, and other contingencies.”

Failure to comply with this mandate could result in denial of entry at immigration checkpoints, with authorities saying it is designed to cover unexpected illnesses and uncertainties during a visitor's stay in Tanzania.

Its basic coverage includes emergency medical expenses, repatriation costs, personal accident coverage, baggage delay, theft and loss, legal expenses, third-party liability, and more, with the policy being non-renewable.

Visitors staying beyond 92 days would have to purchase a new policy, the notice had intoned.