News Archive
Dear TATO Members,
Kindly be informed that the Tourism Sector is still enjoying the status quo on VAT, following the successful advocacy done by TATO which entailed several presentations of facts to the various Parliamentary Committees and to other influential decision makers. The general feeling was that most decision makers seemed not to be aware of the peculiarity and fragility of the Tourism Sector as part of the entire global value chain. Therefore, we are hereby confidently informing you that Under tourist sector there are no changes , please see and compare item 14 of VAT ACT,CAP 148 [RE] 2006 and item 21 of the new VAT ACT,2014. Again check item 21 in the New VAT Act, 2014 is the same as item14 of the old Act. The same items are still EXEMPT AS USED TO BE BEFORE.
The Act is hereby attached ( click here) for your information and perusal.
MNRT ,NCAA & TANAPA Updates for Public
A. DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT DOCUMENTS FROM MNRT BELOW :
* MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCE AND TOURISM DOCUMENTS ( DOWNLOAD HERE ) *
B. DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT ARTICLES RELATED TO THE BELOW:
*NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY (NCAA) DOCUMENTS
C. DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT TANAPA NEWS UPDATES BELOW:
1. TANAPA PARK FEES TO REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE PERIOD 2015/2016
TANAPA UPDATES for Public
DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT TANAPA NEWS UPDATES FROM TATO
1. TANAPA PARK FEES TO REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE PERIOD 2015/2016
NCAA Updates
DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT ARTICLES RELATED TO THE NCAA HERE >>
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
DOWNLOAD , VIEW AND OR PRINT DOCUMENTS FROM MNRTHERE :
* MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCE AND TOURISM DOCUMENTS ( DOWNLOAD HERE ) *
KARIBU FAIR 2016
Click below to Download the Flyer >>
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) the organizers of the KARIBU TRAVEL MARKET TANZANIA
would like to thank the following proud sponsor for the for the event :-
NEW DOWNLOADS!
- PHOTOS: TATO 31ST AGM, ARUSHA HOTEL, JULY 4
- TWIGA TIMES NEWSLETTER – VOL 27 , MARCH – MAY 2014
- PROCEDURES FOR YELLOW FEVER IN ZANZIBAR
- IMPORTANT NOTE: TO OUR ESTEEMED CLIENTS, POTENTIAL TOURISTS AND PUBLIC AT LAR
- APPLICATION FORM FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSE TO OPERATE AS A TOURISM OPERATOR
- TATO ELEPHANT PHOTO COMPETITION
RECENT:
NEWS ALERT: VAT ON TOURISM SECTOR-FOLLOW UP.
We are glad to inform you that in the course of creating good Business Environment for its members,TATO Council triggered by VAT proposal on the 2013/4 Budget resolved to meet Members of Parliament and give seminars on Tourism sector specifically on peculiarity of the Tourism Sector.
This was intended for Budgetary Committee and that of Land, Environment and Natural Resources so that Honorable MPs will be making informed decision on peculiarity of the Tourism sector.
Successfully on 10th and 11th October 2013, TATO Council conducted seminar in Dar es Salaam to The Members of Parliament from the two Committee on GENERAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR TOURISM SECTOR IN TANZANIA (STRESS ON TAXES AND BOTTLENECKS TOUR OPERATORS FACE ON DAILY BASIS), the second presentation was THE TOURISM BUSINESS- HOW IT IS DONE (STRESS ON INTERNATIONAL AGENCY DEALINGS, CONTRACTS, GROUND OPERATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETING.
March for Elephants : October 4 2013
Dear members,
One elephant is killed every 15 minutes; at this rate none will be roaming wild by 2025.
TATO Governing Council on its regular meeting held 1st August 2013, appointed Mrs Vesna Glamocanin Tibaijuka to lead Committee on Animal Day (TATO Conservation Support Committee) which will be commemorated on Friday, 4th October 2013 with a peaceful Elephant March through Arusha town.
The committee formed by non members as well, decided for this year (2013)to support the “Sparkling Elephant Project. This is life-sized Elephant statue made of iron bars and sparkling beads and will be marched from Cultural heritage to AICC Grounds in Kijenge on 4th of October for raising awareness on impacts of poaching to the nature based tourism.
Also, Arusha is confirmed as one of the 15 cities in the World supported by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), (www.iworry.org) in the International March for Elephants.
Please book your dairies, soon we will update you on any necessary support on this matter of grave concern to us all.
JOIN ARUSHA INTERNATIONAL MARCH FOR ELEPHANTS: https://www.facebook.com/events/577515302312949/
RECEIVE UPDATES: https://www.facebook.com/ElephantMarchArusha
If you want to participate/contribute in march for elephant on 4th October 2013 please contact the coordinator, Mr. Sirili Akko through sirili@tatotz.org, SKYPE: sirili2
Please download the following Supporting Material:
IMPORTANT DOWNLOADS:
- ACHIEVEMENTS 1ST JANUARY – 31 ST DECEMBER, 2014
- MEETING ORGANIZED/ATTENDED BY TATO FROM JUNE, 2013 TODATE
- APPLICATION FORM FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSE TO OPERATE AS A TOURISM OPERATOR
- TATO ELEPHANT PHOTO COMPETITION
- TATO’s POSITION ON OPERATION TOKOMEZA UJANGILI
- AN UPDATE ON 2014 TALA APPLICATION – Click to Download
- TRA ANNOUNCEMENT ON ELECTRONIC FISCAL DEVICES (EFD) – Click to Download
- MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING BETWEEN TATO and� NCAA – Click to Download
- TATO CONSTITUTION – Click to Download
March for Elephants: October 4 , 2013 Supporting Material:
- Battle for the Elephants
- The End of The Game – TATO Peter Lindstrom presentation
- TATO Donation for Conservation Support Fund
Other downloads:
- USE OF EFD BY TOUR OPERATORS
- ANNUAL BUSINESS LICENSE DETAILS (DUE THIS YEAR STARTING 1ST JULY 2013, CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC AND APPLICABLE FEES FOR EACH LICENCE).
- PRELIMINARY NOTES AND MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH WILDLIFE DIVISION HELD ON 31ST JULY 2013
- FINAL TANAPA TARIFFS FOR 2013-2015
- NEW MINIMUM WAGES FOR PRIVATE SECTORS
- TOURISM DEVELOPMENT LEVY
UPDATES ON VAT EXEMPTION ON TOURISM SERVICES & TANAPA CREW FEES
The Government has agreed to withdraw its proposal in 2013/4 Finance Bill of levying VAT on Tourism Services. The services which were listed are:-
1. TOURIST GUIDING; GAME DRIVE; WATER SAFARIS; ANIMAL OR BIRD WATCHING; PARK ENTRY FEES; TOURIST CHARTER SERVICES & GROUND TRANSPORT.
Other Changes in the Finance Bill are:-
2. Excise duty on Aircraft and helicopters has been removed for those that carry passengers and commercial services.
3. Withholding tax will apply on payments in respect of Aircraft Lease Rental.
The decision on the following items will be sent when obtained:
1. Import Duty exemption on Deemed Capital Goods relevant to Tourism Sector
We would like to recognize and thank all those who participated in one way or another in achieving the cherished goal within the sector, in the Government and outside including the Tourism source market. Nobody should claim credit.
2. PROPOSED CHANGE ON MT. KILIMANJARO CREW FEES AS AT 1st, JULY 2013
Please be informed that the proposed new mountain fees for crews which was to be effected from 1st, July 2013 has been deferred to 1st, July 2014.
*See Also :
Tanzania Voted the Best Safari Country of Africa
It is now beyond dispute: Tanzania has the best natural tourist attractions in Africa, luring hordes of travellers from all over the world, an international survey has shown.
According to an analysis released yesterday by an online marketplace for African tours, SafariBookings.com, Tanzania has been voted overwhelmingly as the best safari destination in Africa, viewed as the ideal getaway for tourists.
SafariBookings.com conducted an extensive analysis of 3,061 reviews of over 1,000 tourists and travel experts who participated in a survey and concluded that both parties concurred Tanzania is tops in the continent. The country has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, the highest score of all eight major safari countries. Botswana and Kenya scored 4.7 each, followed by South Africa and Zambia which scored 4.6 each against Namibia’s 4.5 stars. Uganda took 4.2 against Zimbabwe’s 4.1 stars.
Karubu Fair Turns Africa’s ‘Green’ Show
A LOCAL company has helped to make the Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair 2013 the first travel industry fair in Africa to offset unavoidable carbon emissions.
According to a statement, Partnering with Carbon Tanzania, Tanzania’s first and only company dedicated to sourcing and developing community-based carbon forestry projects, the Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair is not only demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability, but also to social and community development.
“By supporting a local, community-based carbon forestry project, Karibu Fair is sending a strong message to the tourism sector about the importance of contributing to long-lasting social and environmental initiatives,” explained Marc Baker, Director of Carbon Tanzania.
General TATO Issues
STATEMENT ON THE IMPOSITION OF VALUE ADDED TAX ON TOURIST
SERVICES:
Following the recent budget proposal by Hon. Dr Philip Mpango (MP), Minister for Ministry of Finance, on among other things, imposition of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on tourist services, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) wishes to express serious concerns on the cross cutting negative consequences of the tax measures on the tourism industry which currently contributes more than 17 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP ) – READ FULL STATEMENT HERE.
Zanzibar Boat Tragedy Appeal
TANZANIA ASSOCIATION OF TOUR OPERATORS WISH TO CONVEY A HEARTFELT CONDOLENCE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES IN RECENT TRAGEDY IN ZANZIBAR.ALSO THE ASSOCIATION WISHES THE VICTIMS IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RECOVERY. WE CALL UPON OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER WELL WISHERS TO CONTRIBUTE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING LINK BELOW
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON CONCESSION FEES:
To all our clients
We regret the inconvenience caused by the unfortunate events over the last days at all entry points of the Tanzania National Parks. The events were caused due to a unilateral decision by TANAPA to revise the concession fees and its payment modalities, which were not in accordance with existing written agreements between the various parties.
We as the Tourism Confederation Tanzania (TCT), the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and the Hotels Association of Tanzania (HAT) have made various appeals to the authorities during the past few weeks to prevent this crisis and have now initiated a dialogue with TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to resolve the matter. We hope that further inconvenience to our guests can be avoided.
We want to thank everybody for their cooperation, patience and understanding during these very unfortunate events, which we trust will not reoccur. We are committed to the continued development of Tanzania as a quality tourism destination.
PRESS RELEASE & ELABORATION ON YELLOW FEVER REGULATIONS
Press release – The Associations position on the proposed Serengeti Highway
Download – English Version
Download – Swahili Version
The Government’s Position/Regulation on Yellow fever vaccination for the tourists/visitors coming to Tanzania
Download – in English
Assistance to those at Samunge for Treatment
TATO has been approached by the Government to understand what we as an Association of operators are able and willing to provide either in expertise or services to those that have gone up to Samunge Village to seek treatment from Ambilikile Masapila. Follow discussions by the Council we feel that the following action by the TATO Secretariat is advisable on behalf of TATO members.
TATO STRATEGIC PLAN
The Strategic Plan has considered the need for TATO as a member based organization to effectively provide quality services to meet the needs of its members. The Plan recognizes the need for TATO to fully address itself to the following three major objectives set out in its Constitution:
- To facilitate members to provide marketable tourist services;
- To act as a link between members and government; and
- To coordinate members.
In order to focus its current and future activities TATO identified that it was in the business of awareness creation.
SAFARI WITH UNLICENSED TRAVEL AGENT
Travellers to Tanzania are advised to Contract Safari’s with licensed Tour Operators only. Any traveller who contracts Safari with Unlicensed Operator is doing so at his/her own risk.
Our members meet high standards of quality and service. They pledge to adhere to our Code of Ethics, and to truthfully and accurately present to you, the customer, all information, terms and conditions relating to tours and vacation packages.
In addition, they know the country very well and have good connections with businesses across the entire tourism industry.
Thus, when you contact a TATO member, you know you get the best in safaris, rangers, mountain guides, hotels, air arrangements, and other activities – all combined together to form a vacation that’s completely tailored to your needs. With TATO members, you can rest assured that you are getting the best, and most reliable, vacation in Tanzania!
– TATO SECRETARIAT