Tanzania asks Tourists to pay using local currency

Tanzania asks Tourists to pay using local currency for Tourists activities while visiting Tanzania National Parks

In accordance with a government instruction that all local transactions be made in Tanzanian shillings.

The Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources of Tanzania has mandated that all fees and charges within the tourism sector be paid in local currency.

The order even addresses fees for filming licences, tourism business licences, and visitor fees.

As the government works with stakeholders to build a permanent payment mechanism.

Payments made in dollars will be translated into Tanzanian shillings based on the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) exchange rate, according to a notice issued by the ministry.

The warning further states, “From July , 2024, onwards, all tour guides, individuals, and institutions issued with Control Number in US dollars will need to pay based on the currency specified in perspective Control Number until August 1, 2024.”

On July 1, Tanzania National Parks moved from using dollars to Tanzanian shillings and instructed Tour companies and other service providers to do the same.

The usage of dollars in local commerce was outlawed by Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba in his June 2024–2025 Annual Budget speech.

The goal of the order was to stabilise the value of the Tanzanian shilling.

To boost Tanzania’s economy, foreign currency conversion for Tanzanian shillings has been encouraged for both Tourists and non-resident clients.

Tanzania’s tourism industry is rapidly expanding, with the majority of transactions for travel-related services being conducted in US dollars.

Compiled by

World Travel News, Gorilla Trekking Uganda and Gorilla Trekking Rwanda