Tourism

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Flycatchers spit venom ‘Our operations are legal’

Posted: Tuesday March 25, 2008 3:21 PM BT

By Edward Selasini

Arusha's army of 60-strong flycatchers is up in arms. They are opposed to a recent government ban on their operations along the municipality streets. Flycatchers do not catch flies but hunt for what are known as pop-in tourists who had not pre-arranged their safaris with tour companies but would like a hurriedly organised and inexpensive tour of wildlife areas once they arrive in Arusha.

Invariably, fly-catchers pest pop-in tourists until they give in and accept to go with them to a backyard small tour company that would offer them an instant tour package.

The problem now is that authorities no longer want flycatchers in the streets of Arusha because of their tendency to bug and harass tourists.

But flycatchers are not taking the ban lightly. They claim that the decision is unfair because they have a legally registered association known as the Tourist Youth Association (TAYOTO) with registration number 501338. What they are doing, they claim, is legal self employment.

John Laizer who operates along the ever busy Boma Road that leads to the Arusha Museum of Natural History told the Arusha Times that flycatching is a honourable profession but it is being given bad image by curio and batik peddlers. "These are the people who harass tourists and steal from them."

He said flycatchers are well organized and duly registered thus kicking them off the streets would reduce them to the ranks of unemployed.

Emmanuel Nassary who also operates mainly along Boma Road said the ban is unfair because that is how they earn a living and they have been able to educate their children by being street wise with tourists.

He said when they 'catch' tourists along the street and convince them to take a tour with a particular company, they are paid a commission.

TAYOTO's chairman, Adaut Shayo however, says that the ban serves well the fly-catchers because they did not honour their resolve to put on uniforms and wear tags.

"We had earlier agreed to put on black trousers and white shirts to differentiate us from batik peddlers," he said.

Arusha's Regional Police Commander, Basilio Matei said flycatching is an illegal business and the practice is tantamount to harassment.

"They harass and steal from tourists, in fact, if we get complaints we arrest them promptly," he said

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