Zanzibar’s Permit Shift: Balancing Safety and Affordability
The Zanzibar government is introducing significant changes to its tourist vehicle permit system, starting November 1, 2025. This move, aimed at enhancing visitor safety and regulatory oversight, replaces the current daily permits with longer-term options. While the government emphasizes the benefits for tourists and the tourism sector’s reputation, some local operators have voiced concerns about the policy’s potential impact on their livelihoods.
The Ministry of Tourism and Heritage has implemented this change in response to growing concerns about unregistered operators, known locally as “Taxi bubu,” and a rise in security incidents affecting tourists. Minister Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga stated that the daily permit system had created a loophole, allowing unauthorized operators to work for extended periods without proper registration or adherence to service standards. The new system mandates permits valid for one, three, six, or twelve months, aiming to formalize the sector and ensure all tourist vehicles meet required safety and operational benchmarks.
This shift aligns with similar policies in other African nations like Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, which also mandate longer-term permits, operator registration, and stricter enforcement of vehicle and driver standards. These countries have implemented measures such as special tourist vehicle licenses, accreditation processes, and rigorous safety inspections to regulate their tourism transport sectors. Zanzibar’s new policy reflects a broader trend across the continent towards formalizing tourism operations and prioritizing visitor safety.
While the government emphasizes the long-term benefits of the new system, some local transport providers have expressed concerns about the affordability of the monthly permits, particularly during the low season. The current daily permit costs 5,000 Tanzanian shillings (TZS), while the new monthly permit is priced at 100,000 TZS. Khalid Kombo, a local tour driver, pointed out the difficulty of affording the monthly fee when work is inconsistent, especially during the four-month low season when many drivers are placed on leave by tour companies. This concern is echoed by other small business owners who rely on self-employment and fear being priced out of the market by the increased cost.
A cost analysis reveals that the monthly permit becomes more cost-effective than the daily permit only if a driver works for 20 days or more in a month. During the peak season, when work is plentiful, the monthly permit offers savings. However, in the low season, when drivers may only work for 10 days a month, the monthly permit represents a significant cost increase. This disparity raises concerns about the financial burden on smaller operators, particularly those who rely on daily income and may struggle to afford the upfront cost of a monthly permit during lean periods.
The Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators (ZATO) and other tourism stakeholders have been urged to collaborate with the government to ensure smooth implementation of the new policy. This includes educating operators about the changes, facilitating the permit application process, and addressing concerns about affordability and seasonal fluctuations in work availability. The government has also emphasized its commitment to supporting the tourism sector, recognizing its vital contribution to the national economy. Balancing the need for enhanced safety and regulation with the economic realities of local operators will be crucial for the policy’s success and the continued growth of Zanzibar’s tourism industry.
Zanzibar’s tourism sector has experienced robust growth in recent years, with international arrivals reaching 736,755 in 2024, a 15.4% increase from the previous year. This positive trend continued into 2025, with a 28.1% year-on-year increase in arrivals in April. The government’s efforts to improve safety and regulate the tourism transport sector are aimed at preserving Zanzibar’s reputation as a safe and desirable destination, thus ensuring the continued growth of this vital economic sector. Addressing the concerns of local operators and finding a balance between safety, affordability, and economic sustainability will be key to achieving this goal.
