The Tanzanian government has decided to maintain current park entry fees for 12 months, providing stability for the tourism sector. Discussions for future fee adjustments will continue but will not take effect before March 2026. The suspension of new charges aims to ensure transparency and stakeholder involvement in fee policy changes, amid significant earlier hikes that raised concerns within the industry.
The Tanzanian government has announced that it will not increase park entry fees for the next 12 months, a decision aimed at stabilizing the tourism sector and allowing adequate time for preparation for any future adjustments. The Assistant Conservation Commissioner of Tanzania National Parks, Ms. Jully Lyimo, confirmed that current rates will remain unchanged at least until March 2026 while discussions for potential fee adjustments are ongoing.
In addition, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (Tawa) has halted any new charges until March 2026, as communicated in an official letter from Acting Conservation Commissioner Yussuf Kabange. The letter indicated that this decision is intended to ensure transparency and stakeholder involvement when implementing tourism fee changes.
Concerns were previously raised by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) regarding abrupt fee hikes due to recent regulatory amendments on non-consumptive wildlife use and antiquities. These changes, which took effect without prior notice, led to increases of up to 100 percent, alarming many within the tourism industry.
Tato’s executive director, Elirehema Maturo, criticized these sudden hikes in a letter, emphasizing their negative impact on Tanzania’s tourism sector, which is vital for the national economy. In light of these issues, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Pindi Chana, held a meeting with Tato officials to address their concerns.
Following the discussions, the government decided to suspend the implementation of the new fees, granting a ten-month grace period from February 15, 2025, to December 31, 2025. During this window, the fees set forth in the Wildlife Conservation Regulations of 2016 will remain in place, facilitating a calm transition.
Acting Conservation Commissioner Yussuf Kabange mentioned that the decision to suspend the fee increases was influenced by the concerns raised during consultations with industry stakeholders. The government aims to support the long-term growth of the tourism sector through proper communication regarding future policy changes.
Although the suspension has received a warm response from tour operators, there are calls for legal measures to formalize the notification processes regarding fee adjustments. Tato’s chairperson, Wilbard Chambulo, stated that advance notification should be legally mandated to foster stability and increase investor confidence.
Athumani Njiku, a tour operator from Arusha, echoed this sentiment, calling for improved collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure that the tourism industry in Tanzania grows sustainably. He commended the government’s recent decision while stressing the importance of aligning regulations with market needs.
In summary, the Tanzanian government’s announcement to freeze park entry fee increases for the next 12 months is a strategic move to stabilize the tourism sector and allow stakeholders adequate preparation time. The decision reflects a commitment to transparency, while addressing previous concerns about sudden fee hikes. However, there remains a call for formalized practices to ensure future fee adjustments are communicated effectively and legally, resulting in a more robust tourism industry.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
