Z’bar sees tourist boom
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR recorded 37,038 international tourist arrivals in May this year, marking a 23.5 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to the latest tourism data from the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS).
Presenting the report at a press briefing in Zanzibar yesterday, Ms Fatma Hilali Mohamed from OCGS noted that although arrivals saw a slight month-on-month dip of 0.3 per cent from April this year, the year-on-year growth signals a steady recovery in the tourism sector.
“Europe continues to dominate as Zanzibar’s primary source market, accounting for 53.9 per cent of all international visitors in May,” said Ms Mohamed.
“Germany led with 10.8 per cent of total arrivals, followed by South Africa at 6.3 per cent. New Zealand recorded the fewest arrivals, contributing just 0.3 per cent.”
She noted that 88.1 per cent of tourists entered via Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, with 25,122 arriving on international flights and 7,512 through domestic connections.
A total of 4,404 entered through seaports, including 38 from cruise ships and 4,366 by sea ferry from mainland Tanzania. The vast majority, which is 99.2 per cent of visitors came for leisure and holiday purposes.
The gender breakdown showed 56.2 per cent male and 43.8 per cent female visitors. Compared to April, male tourist numbers rose by 5.3 per cent, while female arrivals dropped by 6.6 per cent. Most visitors (90 per cent) were in the workingage bracket of 15 to 64 years.
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Children under 15 made up 3.6 per cent, and retirees aged 65 and above accounted for 6.4 per cent.
Emerging markets such as Poland, India, Russia, Israel, China, and Ukraine also showed strong performance, with a 60.8 per cent year-onyear increase in arrivals from these countries.
In terms of stay duration, 25.8 per cent of visitors spent seven days in Zanzibar, aligning with the average intended length of stay. Tourism stakeholders welcomed the encouraging trends.
Mr Maabadi Jaffar from the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism credited the surge to the government’s strategic promotional efforts in key European markets.
“The rise in air travel underscores the vital role of aviation in our economy,” Jaffar said. “The government remains committed to expanding air connectivity and improving the overall travel experience.”
He noted that in 2024, Zanzibar exceeded its target of 680,000 arrivals by welcoming over 700,000 tourists. This year, the goal is set at 850,000 visitors.
Meanwhile, Mr Abdulrahman Mwinyi Pembe, who oversees Zanzibar’s mandatory travel health insurance scheme, emphasised its importance in protecting tourists.
“Travel insurance ensures support for visitors who may fall ill or pass away during their stay,” he said, urging tour operators and hospitality providers to encourage more travellers to enroll in the programme.
