Zanzibar government plans signing MoUs with Indian travel trade associations to promote the destination

Zanzibar government is keen to promote the destination as an exotic island in the Indian Ocean with diverse and up-market quality products, in the Indian market. A high-level delegation of government officials led by His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shien, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, visited India recently. During his visit, he focused on improving bilateral relationship and investment opportunities in Zanzibar, including the tourism sector. During the interaction with office bearers of major Indian travel trade associations like TAAI, TAFI, OTOAI, ETAA, in Mumbai, the President stated that India was an important market and the government was keen to sign MoUs with travel trade associations to promote the destination in India.
“We are ready to work with associations and invite ten people collectively from various associations to get a first-hand experience of the destination. Tourism contributes 75 per cent of our GDP and over 80 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. By 2020 Zanzibar will become a mid-income country and tourism is going to be the primary sector which will contribute in a major way in the country’s economic growth. We welcomed 169,223 tourists in 2012 and recorded 181,301 tourists last year, a growth of seven per cent. Our target is to increase tourist arrivals three-fold in the next ten years,” stated His Excellency Dr. Shien. He added that the visit to India was not a random one but part of their national strategic plan for tourism growth.

“While Indian arrivals are around 5,000 a year, the figure can be increased manifold as India is a huge market with great potential. We need your inputs and learn from your experience and we can work together in a mutually beneficial partnership. India and Zanzibar share a great connect both historical and cultural and for Indian visitors it is like home away from home,” stated the President.

Highlighting the Indian connect, Ambassador John W.H. Kijazi, Tanzania High Commissioner to India, said that strong trade relations have existed between Zanzibar and Indian merchants since 18th Century and there is a large population of Indian origin in Zanzibar. He informed that Zanzibar is 70 odd kms from Dar es Salaam with good connectivity by flights and ferry service. While Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Oman Air and Qatar Airways offer air connectivity into Zanzibar from India, there are number of other airlines from India like Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, South African Airways, etc. that operate flights to Dar es Salaam. “Even if there are no direct flights, Zanzibar is very well connected and Indians can avail Visa on Arrival (USD 50) and visitors do not require yellow fever vaccination,” stated Ambassador Kijazi. 

Zanzibar, an archipelago consisting of two main islands, Unguja and Pemba with several other small islets is part of the United Republic of Tanzania with its own government led by its President. Billed as ‘Jewel of East Africa’ and ‘Spice Island,’ Zanzibar has a rich heritage and culture that is a fusion of influences of Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and British who settled there at some point over the centuries. UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town or Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for old town) on Unguja, is the biggest attraction. It is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, busting bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses with brass-studded, carved, wooden doors. Apart from the rich culture and heritage, Zanzibar has beautiful pristine beaches, flora and fauna and host of water sport activities. Pemba Island has great sites for diving and snorkelling and the Pemba Negro Forest Reserve has rare trees and indigenous flying foxes apart from other fauna. Dolphin viewing at Kizimkazi is also a popular activity.

According to Salum K Nassor, Executive Director, Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), Zanzibar has a temperate climate year round and June to March is a good time to visit. He informed that Zanzibar can be easily clubbed with safaris to two major national parks of Tanzania, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. “We have a range of accommodation options including 26 five-star hotels and presence of major international hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Fairmont, etc. Our major source markets are Italy, Germany and other European countries. India is a big potential market which we would like to tap and we are studying the market and working on how to promote the destination in India,” stated Nassor. Ajay Prakash, Chief Executive, Nomad Travels, who was invited to share experiences of his visit to Zanzibar, termed it as a great destination. “It is a perfect getaway for relaxing or active holidays, for honeymooners and even for weddings. While other island destinations of Africa like Mauritius and Seychelles are known, travel trade in India is hardly aware of the offerings of Zanzibar which is equally good destination,” opined Prakash.