Nigerian tour operators at war with Tanzania over new visa rule

The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has sent a strongly worded protest letter to the United Republic of Tanzania through the country’s embassy in Nigeria over the shabby treatment of Nigerian tourists as a result of the removal of visa free status hitherto enjoyed by Nigerians visiting the country. NATOP said no member should sell any Tanzanian destination until the Tanzanian government clarifies the new visa rules as it affects Nigerians.

Before,  Nigerians, like citizens of countries such as Gambia, Tanzania and others had enjoyed a visa-free entry into the country. However, the new visa policy of Tanzania which came into effect on October 7, removed Nigeria from the list of countries to enjoy visa-free entry. However, West African countries like Ghana and the Gambia still enjoy such privilege.

The new visa regime in Tanzania which came into effect last week, October 7, with no transition period,  has caused a lot of discomfort and hardship to many Nigeria travelers who were unaware of the new rule. A video went viral of two Nigerian ladies residing in Dublin, Northern Island who had gone on a vacation to Tanzania with the knowledge that the country is visa free for Nigerians not knowing that the status had changed. They were stopped at the Julius Nyerere International Airport and were deported back to Dublin.

The President of the Nigerian of Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Hajia Bilkisu Abdul, said it was on the basis of this development that she sought to speak with the Tanzanian ambassador to Nigeria. Her words: “ I was very much troubled when I saw this video online and decided to speak with the Tanzanian ambassador to Nigeria. A lady picked the phone and I explained the reason for seeking an appointment with the ambassador. She apologised and gave an email to send my request to. This was on Tuesday afternoon. Up till this morning, there has not been any acknowledgment of the email or a reply of my letter. As a body, we have decided to tell our members to suspend further sale of tour packages to Tanzania.

In line with the pronouncement by NATOP president, the association issued a press release stating reasons for suspending sales of Tanzanian packages. “Until October 7, Nigerians travelled to Tanzania and got visa on arrival. This law was changed suddenly without informing the airlines and tour operators. All airlines still carry Nigerians based on the information available on Tanzania immigration website. So many Nigerian tourists on their way to Zanzibar were taken unawares and were deported to their countries of departure.”

NATOP said until the Tanzanian government clarifies their new visa rules, Nigerian tour operators should stop selling Tanzanian packages.

Calls put across to the Tanzanian embassy Thursday afternoon was not answered. When the Tanzania Immigration Authority in Dar es Salaam was reached, one of the officers who answered  the call said the new development was communicated to the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs last Monday, October 15, to inform the countries affected by the development and that they have also informed the airlines on the new rule. Up till last Thursday, there is no information on the new visa status on the Tanzania Immigration Authority’s website. Also, the argument that airlines have been informed may not be true as no airline would board a passenger  that they it can’t ascertain the visa status.