Tourism sector goes digital

DODOMA: THE government has made digital payments mandatory for key tourism services from the 2026/27 financial year as part of wider reforms aimed at improving revenue collection, enhancing efficiency and curbing financial crimes. Presenting the national budget estimates in the National Assembly yesterday, Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar said all payments for accommodation, food and beverages in hotels, restaurants and cafés, as well as other tourism-related services, will be conducted through digital platforms. “Improvements in payment systems will contribute to government efforts to discourage cash transactions in the economy in order to enhance efficiency in transactions and prevent criminal activities, including money laundering,” he explained. Amb Omar said the shift to digital payments will also reduce costs associated with cash handling, transportation and printing, while simplifying government revenue management. The reforms are part of broader efforts to modernise the financial system and strengthen accountability in public revenue collection, he noted. The minister also announced new registration and annual operating licence fees for private museums under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Under the new fee structure, Tanzanian citizens registering private museums will pay 50,000/-, while Tanzanian institutions will pay 100,000/-. Foreign citizens will be required to pay 500,000/-. Annual operating licence fees have also been introduced, with Tanzanian citizens paying 20,000/- per year, Tanzanian institutions 100,000/- and foreign institutions 300,000/-. “These fees are intended to strengthen oversight, improve standards and ensure that private museums contribute meaningfully to tourism development and the preservation of cultural heritage,” he explained. Meanwhile, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Ashatu Kijaji said the sector’s priorities in the 2026/27 financial year will focus on conservation, tourism expansion and infrastructure development. She said the government will continue prioritising the protection and sustainable use of wildlife, forests, beekeeping resources and cultural heritage assets, which remain the foundation of a sustainable tourism industry. “We are committed to ensuring conservation and sustainable use of our natural and cultural resources while strengthening community participation and reducing humanwildlife conflict,” she noted. ALSO READ: When diplomacy delivers development: Reflection on Singapore-Zanzibar engagement Dr Kijaji stated that investments would also be directed towards improving tourism infrastructure, including roads, airports, communication systems and visitor facilities in protected areas to improve accessibility and visitor experience. “We will continue strengthening tourism infrastructure so that visitors can easily access destinations and enjoy improved services,” she said. The minister further said the government will intensify tourism promotion in key international markets, particularly in the Far East and Middle East, to diversify source markets and boost foreign exchange earnings. “The aim is to expand our tourism reach and attract more visitors from emerging markets while consolidating traditional markets,” she noted. She said the government will also diversify tourism products through the development of cruise tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), while identifying and registering new tourist attractions. “We are expanding our tourism products to ensure the sector remains competitive and continues to grow,” she stressed. The post Tourism sector goes digital first appeared on Daily News . The post Tourism sector goes digital appeared first on Daily News .