06/06/2020
The Minister for Information, Tourism and Heritage of Zanzibar, Hon. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo officially announced today Saturday 6th June 2020 on the opening up of the Zanzibar Destination for Tourism and Returning Residents thus removing the Quarantine Barriers for both Tourists and Returning Residents.
The Quarantine conditions were imposed due to Corona and Covid19 infections globally that were announced on 23rd March by the same Minister for both Charter and Scheduled Flights into Zanzibar.
By opening up and welcoming the Tourists back to Zanzibar, Minister Kombo clearly stipulated the Precautionary Conditions and Preparedness Plans that Zanzibar Government has established in a Press Conference that was attended by all the relevant authorities in Zanzibar.
Announcing the Reopening Brand of Zanzibar, A Unique Spicy Destination, he also announced and launched the new Commission of Tourism Board of Commissioners that was nominated recently assigning them the task of making sure the Tourism World is fully taken care of on all the health risks during this period of global outbreak and making sure all the visitors and tourists to Zanzibar are safe and feel safe whilst enjoying their dream holidays and holidays of lifetime in this Unique Spicy Destination.
Some of the major participants of this Press Conference was The Acting Director General of The Zanzibar Airports Authority who has been assigned the Task of being the first person to receive and last to bid farewell to all the Tourists and Visitors visiting Zanzibar during this Opening up Unique Destination.
Others attending were Head of Airport Immigration and Visa Services, The Union Police Force, Special Forces from Zanzibar, Ministry of Health Medical Experts, Director General Disaster Commission of Zanzibar, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Commission for Tourism, Ministry for Tourism, Information and Heritage Principal And Deputy Principal Secretaries, and other Zanzibar Government officials.
The Private Sector through the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Trade and Agriculture; Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors and Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators including Zanzibar Association of Tour Guides were also in attendance in this very special occasion.
One of the main condition set is International Travel Medical Insurance as a necessity for all inbound tourists that will cover the costs for any mishaps that may occur as per the Preparedness plans. The Minister assured the audience present and the Journalist on a Live Broadcast on National Television and Radio Stations of ZBC standing for Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation and multitude of both National and International Journalists and Media Professionals.
Minister Kombo also used this opportunity to convey Greetings of The Zanzibar President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein in Welcoming back the Visitors to Zanzibar, a Unique Destination and also urge all the Health Guidelines to be followed from the entry to the exit points including introduction of the Standard Operating Protocols SOPs covering for the Airport and Sea Port, Airport Transfers to The Hotels and White Sandy Beach Resorts to Excursions on Spice Farms and Spice Tours including Swimming with the Dolphins in their Natural Habitat.
Minister Kombo also insisted on Zanzibaris to continue observing all Precautionary measures and guidelines set by the Health and Medical Experts in Zanzibar. The Beachboys and Non Licensed Tour Guides without possessing ZTC identities will all be banned and stringent measures taken against them in order to avoid the crowding on the beaches that may cause health risks to locals and the tourists as well.
The Minister also officially introduced the clear guidelines set by the Government for the whole industry including The Hoteliers and Tour Operators. The first flight of Ethiopian Airlines is expected to land tomorrow followed by Oman Air, then Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways who have all indicated their landing dates within the month of June 2020.
