Beginning September 1, Kenyans visiting Zanzibar will have to pay $44 (Ksh5,600) at the border. According to the government of Zanzibar, the fee will serve as a medical insurance.
Zanzibar announced the changes saying that the insurance is a mandatory requirement for all visitors, even if they already have their own travel insurance.
According to Doctor Saada Mkuya Salum, the Finance and Planning State Minister, the insurance scheme is designed to offer quick assistance for any medical issues travelers may encounter during their stay.
Also, all foreign travelers will be required to get the travel insurance only from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), a government-owned entity.
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How the System Works
The government will assign dedicated staff to manage the insurance coverage to streamline service provision.
A QR Code will be provided at the border for payment processes which covers a three-month visiting period. Failure to comply with this mandatory requirement may result in entry denial at immigration checkpoints.
Moreover, the insurance will cover a wide range of eventualities such as health problems, lost luggage, accidents, emergency evacuations and loss of passport.
“The insurance will cover various aspects that have previously been problematic for visitors, such as health, loss of baggage, accidents, emergency evacuation, loss of passports, and even repatriation of remains in case of death,” said the minister.
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Zanzibar Government Explain Benefits of Introduced Fee
At the same time, the minister said that the fee will strengthen confidence in Zanzibar as a safe and secure destination for visitors.
The introduction of the mandatory insurance could impact the island’s tourism industry, as travel agencies and tour operators will have to adjust their packages to include the fee. Ultimately, this could affect pricing structures.
Additionally, she said that requiring visitors to pay for insurance is not unique to Zanzibar, as it is a common practice in many other countries.
“This is not a new concept; when we travel elsewhere, we also pay for travel insurance,” she noted.
Tourism contributes over 27% to the GDP and 80% of foreign exchange earnings of Zanzibar.
In January 2024, Zanzibar received 73,468 international visitors, marking a 6.8% increase compared to January 2023.
Also, in May 2024, Zanzibar was named the second-best island destination in the world by the travel service provider Bounce in its Island Index
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