What about the licensing rule?

Section 21 of the Act says a person who owns, conducts or operates a tourism facility or activity, or who provides or helps provide services in one, must hold a licence issued by the Director (of tourism). The licence is not transferable. Under section 23, applications and renewals go to the Director "in the manner prescribed in the regulations"; the Director issues the licence if satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements, or refuses and gives reasons. The Act also provides for cancell

What about what it costs?

GN 876 of 2024 sets Class C (accommodation) licence fees by star or grade, and it has a separate table for accommodation establishments not yet classified. For outside protected areas, the rows we read are:

What about practical sequence?

1. Decide whether your place is a home stay, hostel, guest house or hotel-type facility. 2. Check the current fee schedule and application route with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (the licensing authority) before paying. 3. Apply to the Director in the prescribed manner, and renew as the licence requires. The Act's section on licence duration (section 36) exists but we did not read its text.

What about what the sources do not say?

We did not read the application documents, processing time, grading rules for homestays, penalties, local government permits, or tax treatment of rental income. We also did not read any official announcement of fee reductions after October 2024.

Is a homestay a tourism facility?

The fee notice includes a "Home Stay" line, which signals that the licensing system recognises it. The exact definition was not confirmed in the text we read.

Can a licence be sold with the property?

No. The Act says the licence is not transferable.

Is there a difference for foreign owners?

The fee notice charges non-citizens much more than citizens. Rules on foreign ownership of tourism businesses were not read.

What about once you are registered?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution is a separate job. Fursat does not list homes in Tanzania; our guest stays are in India. If you also own or manage a property in India, start at /list-your-property, and the free channel manager guide explains how calendar sync across booking sites works. For the basics that carry across markets, read How to Start a Homestay in India.

Journal/Homestay Guides

4 min read · 7 October 2026

How to License a Homestay or Guest House in Tanzania (2026)

Anyone who owns or operates a tourism facility in Tanzania needs a licence under the Tourism Act. The October 2024 fee notice lists a home stay fee, with a big gap between citizens and non-citizens.

Sneha Surana

tanzaniatourism-licencehomestay

How to License a Homestay or Guest House in Tanzania (2026)

Keep reading.

Is a homestay a tourism facility?

Can a licence be sold with the property?

Is there a difference for foreign owners?