PRESIDENT of National Association of Tour Operators ( NATOP), Hajia Bilkisu Abdul has asked Nigerian Tour Operators to stop selling Tanzanian Tour Packages for now until the New Visa Procedure is clarified.
This is against the deportation of Nigerian tourists by Tanzanian Immigration Authorities.
Until October 7th Nigerians travelled to Tanzania with Visa on Arrival.
This law was changed suddenly without informing the airlines and the Tour Operators. All airlines from all over the world still carried Nigerians based on the information available on the Tanzania Immigration Website.
So many Nigerian tourists on their way to Zanzibar were taken unawares and were deported to countries of departure. Because of the embarrassment caused the clients and attendant loss of income and reputation the President has asked the members to tarry until the new policy is well understood. Nigerian Tourists to Tanzania will need a letter of invitation by Tanzanian Tour Operator and will wait for 3 weeks before getting an approval to Travel or go to the Embassy in Abuja. She asked those who need to send Clients to East Africa Nation to seek other options.
This she says will help make more Nigerians seek to holidays in Nigeria as this will grow domestic tourism. She said that this will serve as a clarion call to State Government to develop the rich tourism attractions available in Nigeria.
