ZANZIBAR expects to introduce an insurance scheme for incoming travellers for all guests entering the archipelago, focused especially on tourists, taking out a three month scheme costing $44 and paid online.

Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, the Finance and Planning state minister in the Zanzibar President’s Office, told a meeting of stakeholders here yesterday that under the scheme, incoming travellers would be provided with immediate support in case of medical challenges in particular.

Setting up an insurance arrangement is expected to increase the number of tourists and thus improve revenue collection, she stated, noting that the government was finalising the insurance scheme procedures, to be managed by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).

The government is also improving regulatory systems to ensure the delivery of quality services for residents and visitors, in view of the fact that Zanzibar receives many visitors, some for tourism and others for conferences.

“However, we face the challenge of not knowing how to assist visitors when they encounter problems, so having an insurance facility will make it easier to serve them whenever they face difficulties,” the minister explained.

Jape Ussi Khamis, the ZIC acting director, said that introducing such a scheme will help stimulate tourism visitations and make Zanzibar safer for tourists, part of government initiatives to stimulate economic growth, where tourism is a significant contributor.

Hamida Salim Juma, the ZIC business, banking and insurance sales agents’ manager, said that traveller insurance is like other insurance schemes offered, expected to help boost the economy and uplift productivity.

The new scheme will cover not only health issues but any disturbances that visitors might encounter while in the country, especially when they are within the Isles, he specified.

“The procedure for obtaining this insurance will start when the visitor applies to visit Zanzibar by filling out their details on the website-visit.zanzibar.go.tz at a cost of $44 and the insurance will last for three months,” she said.

“It is a good scheme, and if a visitor falls ill or dies, the insurance will cover the transportation and medical expenses,” the manager affirmed, with participants at the meeting urging the government to ensure that it consults organisations handling visitors on the matter.

They have to include diplomatic missions locally and abroad who need to be contacted for feedback before implementing the scheme to avoid misunderstandings, one participant cautioned.