A guide for Zanzibar hotel owners

ZRA requirements. Clearly explained.

This guide explains Zanzibar’s published property management system requirements, the documents behind them and the questions to discuss with your software provider. It also explains what a HotelPlus Cloud order provides.

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ZRA REQUIREMENTS

HOTELPLUS GUIDEZRA
requirements.

Published references first. Product direction second.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026

DEADLINE

Plan the next step clearly.

1 November 2026 · 00:00 East Africa Time

If you are reviewing your hotel's PMS ahead of 1 November, now is a useful time to establish which system you will use, the connections your property needs and the steps involved in onboarding.

Talk to us about HotelPlus Cloud and record your property's interest with a no-charge order.

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PUBLISHED RULES

Start with the source.

The 2026 VFMS amendment requires accommodation and related hospitality providers to use a PMS approved by the Commissioner General. It also requires service providers to integrate their application software with ZRA's system.

The amendment was signed on 5 August 2026, appears in the Gazette dated 14 August, and was posted on ZRA's website on 1 September. Its commencement provision refers to signature and Gazette publication.

Read the official 2026 VFMS amendment PDF
ZRA publication page

REGISTRATION & INTEGRATION

Ask about the whole workflow.

ZRA's notice published on 24 February 2026 addresses registration, approval and integration of the PMS platforms used by accommodation providers. It describes a 60-day compliance period and refers to enforcement afterwards. That period belongs to the February notice; it is not a new countdown from the day this page is read.

For a property reviewing its system, the practical questions are straightforward: which product and version are covered, which connections are active, and what setup remains?

Which published requirements apply to this property?
What reporting connections are supported, and when?
What data, credentials and onboarding steps are required?
Which workflows continue when the internet drops?

Read the February 2026 PMS notice
Read the August 2025 registration and ICT notice

CONNECTED REPORTING

Reporting built into the daily workflow.

HotelPlus Cloud is being designed for full ZRA compliance, with direct, automated ZanGateway and VFMS integration. The objective is to connect the reporting workflow to the hotel work already taking place, reducing manual preparation and repeated entry.

Your property still needs the appropriate configuration and active connections. The system should make reporting status clear and show when something needs attention. During an internet interruption, supported work can be saved locally; external reporting resumes once connectivity returns.

Distribution Central serves a different purpose: managing direct bookings and connected sales channels. It belongs alongside hotel operations, but it is not a tax authority or a third regulatory requirement.

Why Zanzibar · Mobile and connectivity

WIDER TAX CONTEXT

PMS integration is one part of the picture.

PMS integration is one part of the picture. ZRA's March 2026 guidance separately discusses taxpayer registration, VAT returns and payments, and the transition from Hotel Levy to VAT for qualifying businesses. Its historical dates should not be confused with a later PMS implementation deadline.

Read ZRA's hotel, accommodation and OTA guidance

ORDER BOUNDARY

A record of interest. Not approval.

1. Tell us about your hotel. Share your property details and requirements.

2. Receive your confirmation. Download a HotelPlus-branded PDF with your order reference and hotel details.

3. Plan the next step. Discuss your proposed plan, product availability and onboarding arrangements with our team.

The PDF confirms the HotelPlus order. Any temporary recognition by ZRA depends on a written arrangement and its conditions.

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QUESTIONS

The answers before you choose.

Does ordering automatically make my hotel compliant?
A HotelPlus order records your interest and provides a confirmation. It does not, by itself, establish ZRA approval or activate your hotel's reporting connections. Any interim recognition depends on the applicable written ZRA arrangement.

I already have a PMS. Must I replace it?
Your current provider can explain its product approval, integration status and any remaining setup. Those details help you decide whether an update or a different system is appropriate.

Is every Cloud module available immediately?
Cloud PMS is available now. Housekeeping, Restaurant, Communication Central and Payments are Coming Soon.

Use the official sources below. ZRA's published general contact is zra@zanrevenue.org. The February PMS notice lists ictmgt@zanrevenue.org for technical assistance.

SOURCES

Keep the original documents close.

This is HotelPlus's explanation of the published material. Official documents and property-specific written guidance provide the authoritative reference.

VFMS Amendment Regulations 2026
PMS registration and system integration, 24 February 2026
Business registration and ICT integration, 29 August 2025
Hotels, accommodation and OTA guidance, 26 March 2026

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