ZANZINBAR: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged stakeholders in the tourism sectors to develop robust strategies for promoting tourist attractions for the sector to contribute more in the country’s economic growth.
The Premier was speaking on Wednesday during the ‘Tourism Night’ event in Zanzibar. The Tourism Night is part of the the Kizimkazi 2024 Festival, which is taking place at Maendeleo ya Sheria Grouds in Dimbani, Kizimkazi in the isles.
He said Zanzibar is rich in tourist attractions and that such opportunities must be properly utilized for the betterment of the current and future generation.
“Zanzibar has many opportunities that can boost tourism at both domestic and international levels,” he said.
Mr Majaliwa noted that through cultural heritage, wildlife and beach tourism the country stands in good position to increase the number of tourists compared to the current situation.
Zanzibar witnessed a remarkable 16.4 percent surge in international visitors in 2023, welcoming a record 638,498 tourists the annual tourist arrivals report shows. In 2022, the island attracted 548,503 international visitors.
ALSO READ: Tour operators whet appetite to tap into 50tri/- Indian tourism market
The Premier said with proper plans and organized promotion prtogrammes, Zanzibar can earn more from the sector.
“At Kizimkazi, we have the pomboo fish which has all the attributes to be featured in tourism. Let’s continue to strengthen beach tourism and use the pomboo to promote tourism, this is what our friends in Cuba are doing” Mr Majaliwa said.
“Cuba is a small country but it receives a large number of tourists. They have trained fish to interact with humans and perform music. We, too, have ample pomboo fish. We need to learn from them and apply similar strategies to increase tourism opportunities,” he added.
He added: “Let’s all stakeholders work together to promote tourism, Tanzanians must be part of this process by visiting various areas, we must strive to increase the number of both domestic and foreign tourists,”
Moreover, Mr Majaliwa urged Permanent Secretaries from ministries related to cultural affairs from Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland to support President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts by increasing the number of participants for the Kizimkazi festival.
“Advertisements and promotion should begin six months before the festival so that people can prepare their budgets in advance, this will boost the number of participants, “he noted.
The Premier also urged Ministries and relevant institutions to make good use of social media to promote the festival the event.
Earlier, the Zanzibar’s Minister for Tourism and Antiquities, Mr Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga said the special ‘Tourism Night’ was organised as part of the Kizimkazi 2024 Festival to promote investment opportunities and tourism attractions in Zanzibar.
The Minister also asked tourists and investors in the isles to protect and conserve environment in the isles saying protection of nature is the cornerstone to the tourism business.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports, Mr Hamis Mwinjuma stressed the importance of continuing to use cultural heritage to promote tourism. “In these festivals, we must protect our customs and traditions,” he said.
On Monday, President Dr Hussein Mwinyi officially opened the eight-day Kizimkazi Festival, pledging to tackle key socio-economic challenges in South Unguja.
Dr Mwinyi expressed the government commitment to resolving issues such as electricity fluctuations, water shortages, land conflicts and a shortage of medical personnel.
The president urged the district and regional administrations of Unguja South, an area with both coastal and arid land suitable for investment, to attract investors for the underutilised sea and land resources.
Dr Mwinyi praised the festival, along with the ‘Mwaka Kogwa’ cultural festival in Makunduchi, as opportunities to draw tourists and investors.
