Stone town Zanzibar
THE ongoing advertising campaign abroad using tourists’ operators and a website are weapons that Zanzibar has embarked to boost its tourism industry, the authorities here have said. “Our revived efforts are showing good results.
Tourists from the new markets, mainly
the Far East Asia like China and India have been increasing. It is
because we have advertised the Islands,” Dr Ahmada Khatib, Chairman,
Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) said.
He said improved infrastructure and
security are other issues helping to win more tourists estimated to
surpass by next January, the current record of 300,000 tourists per
year.
Dr Khatib said the prospect so far is
good and that Zanzibar is likely to beat the over 500,000 mark by 2020
should the advertisement continue alongside improved infrastructure,
security and political stability.
The ZCT chairman downplayed recent media
reports linking the current insecurity in Kenya, particularly Mombasa,
to increasing number of tourists in the islands, “there is nothing to
celebrate because insecurity is a global threat.”
“We have been doing well in advertising
Zanzibar abroad, with focus in nations with emerging economies in Asia.
We are also boosting adverts in the US and Western countries, our
traditional visitors.
I think it is unjustifiable to link the
increasing tourists visiting Zanzibar to problems in Kenya,” Dr Khatib
said. The ZCT chairman also said that promoting sustainable tourism
helps to protect the environment, including conserving beaches.
He said that his office has been
building relations with film makers and wedding planners from India,
saying that if they come to make a film or celebrate their weddings
here, it will boost the tourism industry
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