Zanzibar has been named as a top travel destination for 2023 by Travelers Worldwide Magazine putting the Island on top of 15 best travel destinations in Africa.
According to the magazine Zanzibar’s unique history which features a blend of Arab, Swahili, Indian, and Portuguese influences positions the Island as a must visit in the New Year.
“Take a walk around Stone Town, where you can see historical buildings or get lost in ancient pathways. You can also spend some nights on the other side of the island at places like Paje Beach, which has many resorts and restaurants. There are always beach parties and events going on as well,” writes the magazine.
The announcement comes at a time when the tourism sector globally is recovering from the shockwaves o the Covid-19 pandemic with recent numbers showing that arrivals in Zanzibar were set to hit pre-Covid days.
Analysts say that this could see the number of arrivals increase further but questioned whether the Archipelago was ready to handle the influx.
Speaking to The Citizen on the latest development the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of tourism and antiquities Ms Fatma Khamis said one of the key issues that has kept Zanzibar afloat is that the Island never went into lockdown compared to other markets.
“Together with the infrastructure developments, the promotions, we have positioned ourselves as an all year round destination. Already as you have witnessed even what used to be off-shoulder seasons now attract many visitors,” she said.
According to her there has been an increase of 3000 beds which can serve up to 6000 visitors given the number of hotels that have opened in the past two years.
She said more is yet to be achieved in that area because out of the 215 investment projects that have been registered at the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (Zipa) 100 are in the hospitality industry.
“The opening of the Terminal 3 building will also help to reduce congestion at the airport, but we have started training service providers on how to effectively deliver tourist services,” she said.
She added: Soon we shall embark on a process to upgrade hotels to fit the East Africa standardization.
The ministry in the first quarter of 2023 plans to launch a digital programme that will enable them to capture the exact statistics of the number of visitors entering Zanzibar in real time.
On his part, the Zanzibar Tourism Investors (Zati) chairman Rahim Bhaloo the recognition that Tanzania and Zanzibar is getting is due to the purposeful and strategic effort being put in by stakeholders such as Ministry of Tourism of both sides / TTB / ZCT to market Zanzibar as a destination into new strategic markets with spending power capacity.
“This has in the long run enhanced our position within East Africa and Africa as whole,” said Mr Bhaloo who is also the chairman of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.
He said that with so much commitment by the government to improve the infrastructure such as roads / electricity/ water supply / airports/ seaports / adding value to our other commodities, Zanzibar’s position as a priority destination will strengthen further.
And just like the PS, he too, admits there is work to do in order to open up further as a country by improving accessibility to visitors and improving on visa process and more international scheduled flights arrival instead of charter flight to make Tanzania and Zanzibar as an all year round tourist destination.
“The investors have shown their trust and confidence in government policies and approach their own service providers to enhance their facilities and services to meet the required international standards with affordability,” he added.
Share this news
This Year’s Most Read News Stories
Zanzibar’s tourism body chairman Rahim Bhaloo resigns
Bhaloo, who is also Chairman of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), cited pressing family issues as the reason for his departure.Continue Reading
East African Community Bloc Dismisses Fake Common Currency
The secretariat of the East African Community (EAC) regional bloc has dismissed a post on X, formerly Twitter, which claimed that the bloc’s member countries have launched a common regional currency.Continue Reading
Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
