Zanzibar tourist arrivals rise 3.8pc in April

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR recorded 38,554 international tourist arrivals in April 2026, representing a 3.8 per cent increase compared to 37,137 visitors received during the same period last year.

However, the figures marked a 41.2 per cent decline from March 2026, when the islands welcomed 65,581 tourists, largely due to the low tourism season and rising global travel costs.

The statistics were presented by Fatma Hilal Moh’d from the Tourism Statistics Section in the Office of the Chief Government Statistician during the release of the April tourism arrivals report.

According to the report, Europe remained Zanzibar’s leading tourism source market, accounting for 20,371 visitors or 52.8 per cent of total arrivals.

Africa followed with 10,695 visitors (27.7 per cent), while Asia contributed 4,454 visitors (11.6 per cent). The Americas accounted for 2,296 visitors (6.0 per cent), while Oceania recorded 728 arrivals (1.9 per cent).

At the country level, Germany led with 14.1 per cent of total arrivals, followed by South Africa (10.1 per cent), France (6.5 per cent), Kenya (5.9 per cent) and China (5.1 per cent).

Most visitors, 32,948 or 85 per cent, entered Zanzibar through airports, while 5,606 visitors (14.5 per cent) arrived via seaports.

Of the total arrivals, 55.4 per cent used international flights, 29.6 per cent domestic flights, 13.4 per cent boats and 1.4 per cent cruise ships.

Male visitors accounted for 54 per cent (20,831) of arrivals, while female visitors made up 46 per cent (17,723).

The report showed that Zanzibar’s tourism industry remains largely leisure-driven, with 98.8 per cent of visitors travelling for holidays.

Only 0.9 per cent visited friends and relatives, while 0.3 per cent travelled for business or other purposes.

The average length of stay stood at seven days, with 85.1 per cent of visitors staying between one and nine days, while 14.9 per cent stayed for ten days or longer.

Senior economist at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Stella Ngoma Hassan, said the tourism sector continues to demonstrate resilience despite global economic pressures.

ALSO READ: Zanzibar tourist arrivals up 45pc in July

“Conflicts in the Middle East have affected economies that depend on tourism, including Zanzibar. Aviation fuel prices have more than doubled, increasing airfares and limiting travel for some tourists,” she said.

Assistant Immigration Superintendent Said Rajab Hassan said Zanzibar could further boost tourist arrivals by diversifying and upgrading tourism attractions, particularly ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“New attractions will help sustain tourist inflows, extend visitors’ length of stay and turn them into ambassadors for Zanzibar,” he said, adding that no visitor was denied entry during April.

On tourist welfare, Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) ICT Manager Bakar Mussa Yussuf said 16 insurance cases involving tourists were handled during the month.

He said 14 cases involved minor health issues, while two were related to accidents, one resulting in injuries and the other in the death of a tourist.

“In one case, the individual suffered chest pain and received treatment before being discharged. In another, we facilitated the repatriation of the body of a tourist, Ashley, to their home country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hassan Vuai from the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism said emerging markets such as India, Russia and China recorded a 10.2 per cent increase in visitor numbers, driven by improved infrastructure and services.

He stressed the importance of promoting sports tourism, conferences and special events to maintain visitor numbers during the low tourism season.

“There is a strong need to diversify tourism products so that Zanzibar remains attractive throughout the year,” he said.