Cooperative Rural Development Bank Ltd. has expanded the payment card acceptance it set up for the Tanzania National Parks in late 2008, the bank announced Nov. 3.
In 2008, the Tanzania-based bank set up the system for use in the national parks in Arusha, Kilminjaro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. The initiative involved installing of satellite dishes and point-of-sale terminals and training of park cashiers and accountants.
“As of October this year, the payment system has been expanded to include Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruhaha national parks,” a spokesperson for the bank tells PaymentsSource. And by early next year, the bank plans to expand the system’s coverage further to include the Rubondo, Mahale and Gombe national parks, she adds.
The bank thus far has issued 2,114 Visa-branded magnetic stripe prepaid cards in Tanzanian shillings and 2,700 in U.S. dollars for use at the parks, according to the spokesperson. The so-called TANAPA TemboCard enables tourists and tour operators to pay park fees and other charges such as accommodations and food. The system also accepts Visa-branded debit and credit cards issued by other domestic and international banks.
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