Zanzibar has told every operator of tourist accommodation on its two main islands to install working closed-circuit television systems by 15 December 2026, according to The Tanzania Times. The directive from the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism covers hotels, lodges, guest houses, sleepers and Airbnb-style rentals on Unguja and Pemba. Operators who miss the deadline face inspections from the following day and possible suspension of their operating licences.
Why it matters
Tourism is central to Zanzibar's economy and reputation, and the commission framed the requirement as a way to protect visitors and the destination's image. In its notice, it said the safety, security and well-being of tourists and visitors is its highest priority, and that a secure environment is a shared responsibility that helps keep Zanzibar known as a safe and trustworthy place to travel, The Tanzania Times reports.
The order also marks a formal shift in how the islands manage visitor security. Rather than leaving camera coverage to individual owners, the commission is setting a minimum standard across the whole accommodation sector and tying compliance to the right to trade. For smaller guest houses and short-stay rental hosts, that could mean new installation and maintenance costs on top of existing overheads.
What the cameras must cover
The commission's notice requires cameras to be fitted and kept in proper working order in all key areas of each property. Main entrances and exit points are named as a minimum requirement, with the wording suggesting operators are expected to assess their own premises and extend coverage beyond those points.
The directive applies to accommodation providers across both Unguja, the larger and more visited island, and Pemba. It does not single out any category of property for exemption, listing hotels, lodges, guest houses, sleepers and Airbnb rentals together.
The commission said installation must be finished on or before 15 December 2026. From 16 December, the relevant authorities will begin checking facilities across the islands to confirm the systems are in place, according to the notice quoted by The Tanzania Times.
Licence risk for non-compliant properties
The consequences for operators who fail the checks are spelled out in the notice. Facilities found not to comply will face regulatory action, which may include suspension of their operating licences. Such properties may be barred from continuing to run an accommodation business until the required camera systems have been installed and verified by the authorities.
The commission closed its notice by thanking operators for their cooperation and asking them to work with the government to protect visitors and strengthen the security and integrity of the tourism industry.
How travellers will respond to the requirement is not yet clear. The Tanzania Times noted that privacy ranks among the things foreign visitors look for when choosing a leisure destination, and that the reaction of the holiday market to the new rule remains to be seen. The notice as reported does not describe how footage will be stored, who may access it, or what privacy safeguards will apply to guests and staff.
What to watch
The test will come after 16 December, when inspectors begin visiting properties and the first licence decisions are made. How many facilities meet the standard, and whether the privacy question affects bookings for the season, will show how smoothly the directive lands.
