Zanzibar’s tourism body chairman Rahim Bhaloo resigns

Unguja. The Zanzibar Association for Tourism Investors (Zati), Chairman Rahim Bhaloo, has resigned from his position, three months before completing his three-year tenure.

Bhaloo, who is also Chairman of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), cited pressing family issues as the reason for his departure.

He stated, “I feel I can’t now dedicate more time, energy, and resources to the cause.”

Bhaloo also mentioned that it was time for new leadership to bring fresh ideas and push the association and the industry to new heights.

“I have taken the association to a level where it is well recognized and appreciated by stakeholders, and now it is time for new energy to come in,” he said.

During his tenure, Bhaloo is credited with expanding the association’s membership from 18 to 500 and ensuring its financial stability.

 His resignation comes at a critical juncture, as the industry faces a significant challenge with the upcoming implementation of mandatory $44 insurance fees starting September 1.

 Stakeholders have expressed concerns that this new fee could be problematic and potentially hinder the industry’s progress.

Zanzibar’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism which accounts for up to 27 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Official figures show that Zanzibar’s exports of goods and services amounted to $1.085 billion in the year ending May 2024, higher than $975.8 million in a similar period in 2023, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) says in its Monthly Economic Review for June, 2024.

The rise in exports of goods and services were largely due to an increase in service receipts.

“Service receipt, particularly tourism rose by 12 percent to $1.020 billion, following increased tourist arrivals,” the BoT says.