Unguja. Zanzibar experienced a slight decline in international tourism in November 2024, with a 4 percent drop in the number of visitors compared to October 2024 as the Island continues to target 800,000 arrivals this year.
According to the latest tourism statistics released on December 17, 2024, by the Office of the Chief Government Statistician in collaboration with the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, the island recorded 67,049 international visitors in November, down from 69,860 in the previous month.
The report, however, does not give the possible reason for the slight slowdown in the number of arrivals in November.
Despite the drop from October, November’s visitor numbers showed a significant increase of 17 percent compared to the same period in 2023, when only 57,296 tourists visited Zanzibar.
European tourists continued to dominate Zanzibar’s tourism market, accounting for 73 percent of the total arrivals in November 2024.
Italy maintained its position as the top source country, contributing 11.2 percent of all visitors, followed by France at 9.4 percent.
The number of tourists from some European countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, saw notable declines of 25 percent and 35.6 percent, respectively, compared to the previous month.
South Africa leads in the number of tourists from Africa with 3,059 visitors followed by Kenya and Egypt in that descending order.
Most visitors (88.4 percent) entered Zanzibar via the airport, with the majority arriving on international flights.
Only 7,756 tourists used the seaport to enter, predominantly by ferry from the mainland. The data also showed that 99.3 percent of visitors came for leisure purposes, reflecting the island’s appeal as a top holiday destination.
The gender distribution of visitors was almost evenly split, with 49.5 percent male and 50.5 percent female. However, the data highlighted a decline in both male and female visitor numbers from October, with female arrivals seeing a larger drop of 6.3 percent.
In terms of age, the vast majority of visitors were within the working-age group of 15 to 64 years, comprising 88.3 percent of arrivals. Children (under 15 years) represented 3.7 percent of the total, and retirees (65 years and older) accounted for 8 percent of visitors.
The statistics also highlighted a strong performance from emerging markets such as Poland, India, and Russia, with visitor numbers from these regions increasing by 5.2 percent compared to November 2023.
Meanwhile, the number of American visitors dropped by 27.4 percent, and Oceania’s contribution also saw a decline, particularly from Australia and New Zealand.
Despite the slight dip in November 2024 compared to October, Zanzibar’s tourism sector remains strong overall, with a notable increase in international visitors compared to the same period last year.
The data suggests that the island continues to attract a diverse range of visitors, with European markets leading the way while emerging markets show promising growth. However, the slight monthly decrease could reflect seasonal fluctuations or external factors affecting travel.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
