ZANZIBAR: A TOURIST guide waiting for clients at Stone Town’s seafront is often the first face visitors meet in Zanzibar, a handshake that for many families translates into school fees paid and food on the table.
It is this human connection behind the tourism boom that took centre stage during the Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators (ZATO) annual general meeting.
Speaking recently Zanzibar’s Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr Masoud Ali Mohammed said the government of Zanzibar recognises the private sector as a key driver of the islands’ tourism growth.
He described ZATO as a crucial government partner in raising service standards, protecting operators’ interests, and marketing Zanzibar internationally.
“This cooperation is vital to ensure tourism grows in an organised manner and benefits the nation as a whole,” he said.
The minister noted that the government continues to review laws, policies and regulations to align the sector with global tourism trends.
These reforms aim to boost competitiveness, improve service quality, attract investors and ensure Zanzibar gains greater value from global tourism opportunities.
In 2025, the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage implemented strategies to strengthen the industry, improve the business environment and increase tourism’s contribution to citizens’ welfare.
Efforts now focus on promoting high-end tourism with an emphasis on quality services, environmental conservation and direct community benefits.
Beyond beach tourism, Zanzibar is expanding historical and cultural heritage tourism, marine tourism under the blue economy, eco-tourism and domestic tourism.
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Mr Masoud urged ZATO members and stakeholders to uphold innovation, patriotism and accountability while collaborating with the government to maintain Zanzibar’s competitiveness globally.
He also credited President Hussein Mwinyi for championing tourism as a cornerstone of Zanzibar’s economic and social transformation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, highlighted the need to balance economic growth with social wellbeing and environmental protection.
He stressed innovation in the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources and the development of new tourism sites to expand jobs and incomes.
ZATO Chairperson, Mr Khalifa Mohammed Makame, said the association, founded in 1993, now has 220 members managing tour packages for visitors.
He noted that January 2026 recorded over 100,000 tourist arrivals, a new monthly record reflecting improved conditions and investor confidence.
However, he called for wider adoption of digital systems in sector management to enhance revenue transparency, tax compliance and national productivity.
Representatives from KCB Bank Kenya and NMB Bank Tanzania reaffirmed their financial support for tourism stakeholders, pledging continued partnership in advancing the blue economy and easing access to financial services.