ZANZIBAR recorded a significant increase in tourist arrivals in August, with...
124,481 visitors entering the islands, representing an 18 per cent rise from the 105,506 arrivals recorded during the same month last year.The latest figures also point to month-on-month growth, with arrivals in August increasing by 15.5 per cent compared with the 107,801 visitors recorded in July, the government affirms.
Hassan Amer Vuai, a tourism statistics researcher at the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, released the figures yesterday in a ceremony hosted by the Chief Government Statistician, where tourism officials and stakeholders reviewed the performance of the sector.
The latest performance reflects growth in the sector and Zanzibar’s growing appeal in international tourism market, he said, noting that Europe remained the islands’ largest source market in August, accounting for 72,304 visitors, equivalent to 58.1 per cent of the total arrivals.
Africa was the second-largest source market, contributing 30,495 visitors, or 24.5 per cent, while Asia came third with 14,359 arrivals, representing 11.5 per cent of the total.
The Americas accounted for 5,755 visitors, equivalent to 4.6 per cent, while Oceania contributed 1,535 arrivals, or 1.2 per cent, he elaborated, affirming that the majority of visitors as usual came by air, with 114,553 tourists, representing 92 per cent of the total, entering Zanzibar via airports.
A further 9,928 visitors, equivalent to eight per cent, arrived through the islands’ seaports, while male visitors outnumbered female tourists during the month. Men accounted for 71,829 arrivals, representing 57.7 per cent, while women numbered 52,652, or 42.3 per cent.
Holidaymakers overwhelmingly dominated the visitor profile, with 99.8 per cent of arrivals travelling to Zanzibar for leisure Just 0.2 per cent visited for other purposes, including business, meetings and related activities.
Dr Styla Hassan, an economist at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), attributed the increase in tourist arrivals partly to improvements in infrastructure investment and the tourism environment.
Improvements on roads and other essential infrastructure make it easier for visitors to move around the islands while enhancing Zanzibar’s attractiveness as a tourism destination.
“Besides improved infrastructure, the peace and stability prevailing in Zanzibar have significantly contributed to the increase in visitations to the islands,” she stated.
Tourism remains a pillar of Zanzibar’s economy, supporting businesses, employment and a wide range of activities, with stakeholders highlighting improvements in services as part of ongoing efforts to make Zanzibar more accessible and responsive to international visitors.
Bakari Mussa Yussuf, an information technology officer with the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, said there had been no major cases during the month involving visitors experiencing serious health-related problems.
Yussuf Nuhu Adam, public relations officer with the Zanzibar Immigration Department, said the department was increasingly using technology to simplify services for international visitors.
The introduction of an online visa system is among measures being implemented to keep pace with technological changes and evolving needs of international travelers, he said.
The rise in tourist arrivals is expected to further strengthen the sector’s contribution to Zanzibar’s economy, with increased business activity, employment and demand for tourism-related services, he added.
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