Tanzania National Parks switched from USD to TZS from July 1 and directed tourist companies and other service providers to follow suit
Following the announcement made by Tanzanian Finance Minister in his budgetary speech in June, Tanzania’s Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources has ordered that all fees and charges in the tourism sector be paid in local currency.
According to a press statement issued by the Tourism Ministry, these orders are in line with a government directive that all local transactions be in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) only.
The directive covers all expenses related to tourism sector and includes even Tourism Business Licence fees, filming permits and visiting fees.
The statement adds that payments already received in USD will be converted into Tanzanian Shillings based on the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) exchange rate, as the government continues to develop a permanent payment modality in collaboration with stakeholders.
“All tourism business operators, tour guides, individuals or institutions issued with Control Number in US Dollars before July 1, 2024 will need to pay based on the currency specified in perspective Control Number until August 1, 2024,” the Ministry says.
Tanzania National Parks switched from USD to TZS from July 1 and directed tourist companies and other service providers to follow suit.
Earlier, in June, during his budgetary speech for the fiscal year 2024-25, Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba had banned the use of USD in local transactions.
The directive was put in place to stabilise the TZS and tourists and non-resident customers have been encouraged to exchange foreign currency for TZS to facilitate transactions that would support Tanzania’s economy.
Tourism has been a fast-growing foreign currency intensive business in Tanzania with most tourist services transactions made in USD.
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