TATO Members Strengthen Tax Compliance Through TRA IDRAS Technical Training

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) continues to reinforce its commitment to professionalism, compliance, and sustainable growth within the tourism industry through targeted capacity-building initiatives. Most recently, TATO members successfully participated in a dedicated technical training on the new Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS) a critical platform designed to enhance tax administration, transparency, and compliance across all sectors, including tourism.

The training brought together TATO member companies from across the northern tourism circuit and beyond, reflecting the growing importance of digital tax systems in modern tourism operations.

Leadership Engagement and Institutional Collaboration

The training was officially opened by the TATO Secretariat, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Elirehema Maturo, alongside the TATO Board of Directors, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Henry Kimambo. Their presence highlighted TATO’s proactive leadership role in preparing its members to navigate regulatory and operational changes affecting the tourism sector.

The session was facilitated by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) – Arusha Region, under the guidance of the Regional Manager and technical officers, who provided both strategic and hands-on insights into the IDRAS system. This strong public–private collaboration ensured that members received accurate, practical, and up-to-date information directly from the implementing authority.

Understanding IDRAS and Its Importance to the Tourism Sector

IDRAS is TRA’s new digital platform aimed at improving domestic revenue administration through automation, real-time data integration, and enhanced compliance monitoring. For tourism businesses—many of which handle complex transactions involving international clients, multiple services, and foreign currency—understanding IDRAS is essential.

During the training, members were taken through:

• An overview of the IDRAS framework and its objectives
• Registration and system navigation processes
• Tax filing, reporting, and compliance requirements under IDRAS
• Practical demonstrations and common compliance challenges
• Question-and-answer sessions addressing sector-specific concerns

This practical approach enabled members to better understand how IDRAS affects daily operations and how to align their internal systems with TRA requirements.

The Role of TATO: Building Capacity and Protecting Industry Interests

This training is a clear demonstration of TATO’s core mandate as the leading private-sector representative of Tanzania’s tourism industry. Beyond advocacy and policy engagement, TATO plays a critical role in capacity building and regulatory preparedness for its members.

Through initiatives like the IDRAS training, TATO:

• Enhances Compliance and Governance
  By equipping members with accurate regulatory knowledge, TATO helps reduce compliance risks and promotes lawful, transparent business practices.
• Strengthens Public–Private Partnerships
  Facilitating direct engagement between members and government institutions such as TRA ensures open dialogue, mutual understanding, and smoother implementation of reforms.
• Improves Business Sustainability
  Proper tax compliance supports business continuity, credibility, and long-term growth—key pillars for a resilient tourism sector.
• Advocates for Practical Implementation
  By gathering feedback from members during such trainings, TATO is better positioned to engage authorities on sector-specific challenges and recommend practical solutions.

Driving Professionalism and Sustainable Growth

As Tanzania continues to modernize its revenue collection systems, the tourism industry must remain informed, adaptable, and compliant. TATO’s facilitation of this IDRAS technical training reflects its ongoing efforts to ensure that members are not only compliant but also confident in managing regulatory changes.

This initiative reinforces TATO’s broader vision of a professional, transparent, and globally competitive tourism industry—one that contributes meaningfully to national development while maintaining strong relationships with regulatory institutions.

TATO remains committed to rolling out similar capacity-building programs, ensuring its members are well-equipped to operate efficiently, responsibly, and in full compliance with Tanzania’s legal and regulatory framework.