By Adonis Byemelwa
Tanzania’s growing reputation as a safe and reliable tourist destination is being shaped far from the spotlight, through deliberate policing that blends prevention, technology and diplomacy.
At the centre of this effort is the Tourism and Diplomatic Police Unit, a specialised arm of the Police Force based in Arusha, working quietly to protect visitors while preserving the quality of their experience.
The unit’s work is not reactive but strategic, grounded in preparation long before a tourist sets foot in the country. Superintendent of Police Waziri Ibrahim Tenga, who heads the unit, says the idea was to create officers who understand tourism as much as they understand policing.
“The Police Force has a special unit tailor-made for serving tourists. This unit has received training from various countries to build the capacity of service providers.”
That training has translated into practical outcomes on the ground. Crimes affecting tourists have reduced, and confidence in Tanzania as a destination has steadily improved.
Tenga acknowledges that crime cannot be eliminated, especially where development is growing, but argues that professionalism makes the difference. “Wherever there is a human being, there is crime, and wherever there is development, crime occurs.”
What makes the unit distinctive is how early it engages. Officers collaborate closely with embassies and receive advance information about visitors planning trips to Tanzania.
Tourists themselves increasingly contact the unit through its website and email, asking police to verify travel agents before sending money. “We have professional police officers who consider the safety of tourists before they even enter the country.”
These early checks have proven effective in cutting down fraud, saving visitors from financial loss and emotional distress. Once tourists arrive, the support becomes more visible. Officers are stationed at airports, working alongside escorts to ensure that any challenge is addressed immediately.
“When a visitor arrives in Tanzania, we have been working with various escorts and ensuring the presence of our police officers at the airports so that any challenge that arises can be resolved quickly.”
When issues require longer investigations, the emphasis is on keeping the tourist’s journey intact rather than disrupting it.
“If the challenge takes time, the tourist will continue with his trip while it is being resolved.” That balance between security and experience has become a defining feature of the unit’s approach.
Beyond airports, tourist safety is reinforced through police escorts, checkpoints, online patrols and dedicated reporting centres. These centres allow visitors to report misconduct by drivers, security concerns or lost documents.
For many travellers, losing a passport abroad can quickly overshadow an entire holiday. “A passport is a very important document when a person is abroad; when it is lost, it can disturb them to the point of not enjoying their trip.”
Instead of forcing tourists to abandon their itineraries, the unit works directly with embassies to arrange temporary travel documents while visitors continue their journeys. “We do all this to assure our guest is in safe hands.” That reassurance has become increasingly important as global travellers grow more cautious about where they choose to go.
The unit’s work has earned recognition beyond Tanzania’s borders. Envoys from the United States, Germany, Kenya and Uganda have visited the Arusha office to better understand how the unit operates, often following positive feedback from their citizens. “Many embassies have written letters to appreciate the unit's services to their citizens.”
One of the most persistent challenges has been international tourism fraud. Fake companies with impressive websites and foreign bank accounts once targeted tourists, collecting payments for services that did not exist. Today, such cases are traced well beyond Tanzania’s borders. “Experts do not stop at detecting fraud alone; they contact the police of the relevant country.”
Investigations often lead to arrests abroad, while others end when suspects attempt to enter Tanzania, unaware they are already flagged.
“Some forget their crimes and enter Tanzania, where Immigration arrests them.” These efforts have sent a clear message that tourism fraud is neither ignored nor tolerated.
The unit has also had to confront more subtle forms of abuse, particularly insurance fraud. Some tourists fabricate theft incidents at the end of their trips to claim compensation back home.
Officers now insist on proper investigations before issuing loss reports, aware of the broader implications. “The consequences of giving a tourist a loss report are declaring that our country is not safe and our people are thieves.”
When tourists are informed that their embassies will be involved and that false claims carry consequences, many abandon their attempts. This firmness, combined with transparency, has helped close long-standing grey areas without compromising genuine victims.
Technology has further reshaped tourism policing. Officers monitor social media trends to identify emerging crime patterns and risky locations, while traditional scams have declined.
“Technology has eliminated urban youth who used to engage with tourists to get tips.” Information once controlled by intermediaries is now freely available online.
At the same time, digital platforms have introduced new responsibilities. The rise of Airbnb has prompted structured regulation, particularly in Arusha.
Properties are registered, inspected, mapped and patrolled, with owners working closely with police through regular meetings and WhatsApp groups. “The benefits of registering an AirBnB include preventing mishaps.”
Registration also allows hosts to report suspicious behaviour, including individuals posing as tourists for criminal purposes. “One might be mimicking to be a tourist, but he is a criminal.” This cooperation has turned hosts into active partners in maintaining security.
Looking ahead, the unit is developing plans for 24-hour one-stop centres dedicated to tourists, combining police and immigration services under one roof. The idea is to eliminate unnecessary disruption.
“Interrupting the trip to get the documents is a waste of time.” A visitor who loses documents in Tarangire should not have to abandon Serengeti or Ngorongoro to solve an administrative problem.
Beyond systems and structures, Tenga believes Tanzania’s strongest asset remains its people. “Our country is a pearl; it is our duty as the police and citizens in general to take care of it.” He often reflects on what visitors say about everyday encounters that leave lasting impressions.
“In the United States, for example, if you ask someone on the street to direct you to your destination, he may call the police, but a Tanzanian will direct you, if not escort you, for free.” That warmth, combined with discreet but professional policing, shapes the visitor experience long before wildlife or landscapes come into view.
“That is the experience a tourist gets before he even goes to see an elephant.” In a competitive global tourism market where safety increasingly defines choice, Tanzania is steadily positioning itself as a destination where beauty, hospitality and security move together.