Zanzibar earns USD 12 million from travel Insurance as tourists get peace of mind
Muhammad said the insurance provides visitors with access to emergency medical care, airlifting and other assistance services during their stay in Zanzibar, reducing uncertainty and ensuring prompt support whenever needed.
Black News 
Zanzibar has reminded foreign tourists visiting the isles that the mandatory travel insurance is there to reinforce their safety and offer them peace of mind.
Speaking in Arusha, the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) Sales Officer Abdul-Halim Muhammad pointed out the protection scheme provides visitors with access to emergency medical care, rescue and other vital services during their stay on the Clove Islands.
“The travel insurance does help to reduce uncertainty among visitors, guarantees rapid support whenever the situation calls for it and gives peace of mind to foreigners who could be venturing into Africa for the first time,” Abdul-Halim Muhammad maintained.
The travel insurance scheme, which became compulsory on October 1, 2024, requires all foreigners, including tourists visiting Zanzibar to be fully covered under the scheme prior to landing in the Isles.
Zanzibar is also benefitting, because the scheme has since emerged as an important contributor to the islands’ economy, generating approximately US$1 million, equivalent to 2.6 billion/- every month.
The figures translate into US$ 12 million or 31.2 billion/- per year.
Under the policy, most international travelers are subjected to pay US$44 upon entering Zanzibar for leisure or business.
On the other hand, visitors from East African Community (EAC) member states fork out a reduced fee of US$22 to encourage regional integration and movement within the bloc.
Meanwhile Children aged between three and 17 years must be covered at the cost of US$22, while those below three years are exempted from the arrangement.
Muhammad said the insurance provides visitors with access to emergency medical care, airlifting and other assistance services during their stay in Zanzibar, reducing uncertainty and ensuring prompt support whenever needed.
“The scheme protects tourists and investors from unexpected medical expenses and administrative challenges that may arise while travelling,” he said while addressing journalists during the Karibu Kilifair 2026 event in Arusha.
According to him part of the revenue collected finances healthcare services for insured visitors, while surplus funds are channeled into strengthening the broader health sector.
According to the Zanzibar Insurance Company (ZIC) official, the programme was introduced after authorities repeatedly encountered situations in which tourists and investors required urgent medical attention, leaving uncertainty over who should bear the treatment costs.
“The insurance fund now supports a network of designated hospitals and healthcare facilities across the islands, helping improve service delivery while ensuring visitors receive quality care when required”.
Muhammad revealed further that public response to the initiative has been positive, particularly among participants attending the tourism exhibition.
“Most visitors and tour operators have been supportive of the scheme after realizing its importance,” he pointed out, adding the feedback from clients continues to be positive.
Meanwhile the tourism sector in Zanzibar is recording a significant growth, with more than 100,000 visitors sampling the World Heritage Site Island’s attractions per year.
Some 105,506 international visitors flew into Zanzibar in August 2025, alone, reflecting a 45.9% increase compared to the same month in the previous 2024.
