Kenyan holidaymakers heading to Zanzibar are set to feel the pinch of a new mandatory travel insurance fee that takes effect today, October 1.
The insurance levy, set at $44 (approximately Ksh5,700), has been a point of contention since it was first announced in June. Despite attempts to push back its implementation, the fee now stands firm, leaving many wondering how this will affect the number of visitors from Kenya and other countries.
The fee, imposed by Zanzibar’s government, is a requirement for all foreign visitors entering the island. This inbound travel insurance is designed to cover emergencies like medical evacuations and other unforeseen incidents for up to 92 days.
Travellers without this insurance will be turned away at immigration checkpoints.
A beach in Zanzibar Island.
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Courtesy
Kenyan tourists have long favoured Zanzibar as a holiday destination, thanks to its affordability and proximity. With an average of four flights daily between Nairobi and Zanzibar, travel has been relatively accessible.
However, the introduction of this Ksh5,700 insurance charge is raising concerns that the added cost could discourage many Kenyans from visiting.
The decision to implement this fee was initially postponed from September to October, allowing for further discussions. However, authorities remain adamant, insisting that the new policy is necessary to safeguard visitors and reduce the financial burden on the government.
Zanzibar’s President Hussein Mwinyi last week defended the move, stating that the government has long covered the medical costs of tourists who fall ill or face calamities during their stay.
“The government has been shouldering significant costs for tourists who fall ill or even pass away while visiting. The introduction of this insurance will ease that burden,” he remarked.
Critics, including tour operators and opposition politicians, argue that the levy could make Zanzibar a less attractive option compared to other destinations in East Africa.
With more competitive destinations available, many tourists might choose alternatives over Zanzibar due to this additional fee. The opposition has labelled the insurance charge as unnecessary, given that most international tourists already have some form of travel insurance before embarking on their trips.
Zanzibar authorities, however, maintain that only insurance purchased from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, accessible via a QR code before travel, will be accepted. This exclusivity has drawn further criticism, with detractors arguing that it limits choice and could push up costs for travellers.
Tourism plays a crucial role in Zanzibar’s economy, and the island has set an ambitious target of 800,000 international arrivals for 2024. Kenyan tourists, in particular, form a significant portion of these visitors.
Official statistics show that in the first three months of 2023 alone, 5,263 Kenyans visited Zanzibar. However, with the new insurance levy now in place, many are concerned that these numbers could dwindle as travellers weigh up the extra cost.
A collage of Lupita Nyong’o before she jumped into the beach in Zanzibar
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