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Tanzania issues new rules for tourism sector

Saturday April 21 2012
giraffe

Animals in Selous game reserve, Tanzania. Picture: File

Tanzania has introduced new regulations in the tourism sector which will require all tour guides to seek accreditation, a first in the history of the sector in Tanzania.

The idea is to promote professionalism and improve customer service. The accreditation will also be used as an incentive for remuneration or a basis for employment.

Director of Tourism Ibrahim Mussa said tour guides certification would also promote customer service.

“The accreditation will be compulsory,” Mr Mussa told about 100 members of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) in Arusha.

The exercise, he said, is likely to kick off in the next financial year.

Tanzania is home to nearly 3,000 tour guides who handle nearly 900,000 tourists who visit Tanzania annually, but they have been criticised for lack of accreditation.

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Tato executive officer Sirili Akko welcomed the move, saying it will add value to Tanzania’s tourist industry.

Criteria

Accreditation requirements will include experience as a tour guide, certificate in tour guiding issued by a registered training college, valid driving license and first aid certificate.

Tour guides will also be required to commit to meeting tourists’ expectations in customer service and adhere to code of ethics.

Samson Maka, who has been a tour guide for nine years, said the new regulations will improve the tour guide fraternity.

Tanzania earned $4,987.5 million from the tourism sector in the last four years. The industry employs nearly 200,00 Tanzanians directly.

Tourists come to Tanzania’s beaches, the Zanzibar archipelago and national parks.

(Read: Kenyan tour operators accuse Dar of unfairness)

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