On 17th, February 2015 Tanzania Forestry Services
(TFS) announced that it intended to collect fees from all tourists who
visit and purchase souvenirs.
For woodcarving purchases that total $300 and below, the
inspection fee would have been $16 in addition to the export fee of $21.
For all wood carving purchases above $300, the inspection
fee and the export certificate fee would have cost a tourist $70.
In addition, there would have been a $2.50 royalty fee in
each kilogram in weight of the carvings
This tariff would have primarily been applied to
woodcarvings that are sold throughout the country.
The document signed by TFS official Edgar Masunga indicated that the fees would have been
collected from all tourists at all airports on their departure from the
country.
However, recently , Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro
Nyalandu announced to revoke such a decision for the best interests of tourism
industry.
“I’m going to direct Tanzania forestry services to retract
its decision immediately to relieve our dear tourists,” says Mr Nyalandu when
he met sculptors at Mount Meru curios and crafts market in Arusha.
Chairman for sculptors and traders at Mount Meru curios
and crafts market in Arusha with over 500 members, Ally Mgaya said that the
move was have adverse impact on their business, as majority tourists started
fearing to buy woodcarvings.
Some tour and safari operators are already preparing to include
the “do not buy any wood carvings” warnings in their briefing documents, so
that their clients are not harassed, inconvenienced, and by and large fleeced
when exiting the country.
The hardest hit though will be traders, carvers, and business
owners whom this latest folly could easily put out of business for good.
Commenting, the chairman for Tanzania Association of tour
Operators (TATO), Willy Chambulo commended the minister Nyalandu for prompt
decision.
“This is an encouraging decision by our minister. We are
proud of him (Nyalandu) for keeping an eye to this fragile industry” Mr
Chambulo notes, adding that his association is looking forward to get a
government notice over the decision.
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