JAKARTA - Famous for its natural beauty, underwater, culture, food and history. Zanzibar, which is a semi-autonomous region in Tanzania, Africa, has become one of the world's favorite tourist destinations.
Not only Asian and African tourists, those from Europe and even America who are further away, also visit Zanzibar to enjoy the famous tour here.
In fact, Zanzibar remains popular with tourists despite the coronavirus pandemic. In November 2020, nearly 30 thousand European tourists visited Zanzibar for holidays.
Unfortunately, the increase in tourists was followed by violations by foreign tourists. Generally, violations are related to the norms of decency in public.
Tourists have been warned not to wear minimal clothing when exploring Zanzibar Island. Zanzibar's code of conduct for visitors, is listed in the Travel Tips section of the country's official tourism website. Prohibit them from wearing swimsuits and skimpy clothing in public places except in hotels and resort areas.
"Consuming alcohol in public places can offend the residents. Nudity on the beach is not allowed. Kissing in public or showing intimacy is not a habit in Zanzibar," said local authorities.
Interestingly, the fines and penalties imposed are not aimed at tourists, but at tour operators and tour guides.
Zanzibar Tourism Minister Lela Muhamed Mussa said the recent incidents of public nudity had prompted him to repeat a rule that, if violated, could result in a fine of up to US $ 2,000.
"Currently, many tourists in Zanzibar can be seen completely naked in public places," said Mussa.
He further explained that tourists will be exempted from fines because it is the responsibility of tour guides and operators to ensure that the code of conduct has been enforced for a long time.
"If you are a tour guide and you have tourists who dress indecently in public, you will be fined between US $ 700 and US $ 1,000, depending on the severity of the problem," he said.
"An operator found in a public place with a scantily clad tourist will be punished between US $ 1,000 and US $ 2,000. We respect the differences we have from different countries and people, but it is the visitor's responsibility to understand Zanzibar's cultural practices and code of conduct. before they come to the country, "he stressed.
While swimwear is generally seen as acceptable by tourists visiting the island's popular beaches, a more conservative dress code applies elsewhere on Zanzibar.
"When in a public place here in Zanzibar, tourists have to cover their bodies, from the shoulders to the lower part of the stomach and up to the knees," he explained.
"There's nothing new here. It's just a reminder of the existing law. Nobody has any objections," added Mussa.
Meanwhile, veteran local lawyer Fatma Karume said Mussa's statement about the dress code would do little to help tourism in Zanzibar.
He emphasized that most visitors pay attention to local traditions when exploring areas such as Kota Batu, a historical district popular with many mosques.
"This is not the norm. We have been a tourist destination for decades. Most tourists who come to Zanzibar respect the culture," said Karume.
"What I see is most tourists cover themselves with scarves while wearing shorts. I've never seen tourists walking around Stone Town in bikinis. Of course, on the beach, they wear bikinis, no one objected," he said.
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