Zanzibar’s tourism sector is entering a new phase of growth, with rising visitor numbers, near-capacity hotels and expanding transport infrastructure exposing a widening gap in the island’s experience offering beyond accommodation.
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Official figures from Zanzibar’s Tourism Statistical Release for December 2025 show that the archipelago welcomed 100,729 international visitors during the month, marking a 10 percent increase year on year and a 38.3 percent jump compared to November.
For the full year, international arrivals reached 917,167, up from 736,755 in 2024, signalling sustained growth rather than a short-term post-pandemic rebound.
Hotels near capacity as stays get longer
The impact of this growth is already being felt across the accommodation sector. Bed occupancy rates climbed to nearly 89 percent in December, with more than 815,000 bed nights sold in a single month. Visitors are also staying longer, with the average intended length of stay now exceeding eight nights, placing increasing pressure on tourism infrastructure during peak periods.
“These figures confirm that Zanzibar is firmly in a growth phase,” said Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage. “Longer stays and rising demand are creating investment opportunities that deepen the visitor experience while supporting national development priorities.”
Global hotel brands double down on Zanzibar
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International hotel groups have moved quickly to secure their position in the market. TUI Group has expanded its resort portfolio in Zanzibar as part of its broader East Africa strategy. At the same time, Hilton has announced its entry into the destination with a branded beachfront resort.
Eco-focused operator ENVI Lodges is developing a low-impact luxury beachfront property, and Minor Hotels has confirmed a significant expansion of its Anantara brand through a new signing with Infinity Group. The Anantara Zanzibar project, in particular, reflects growing confidence among global operators in the island’s long-term appeal to high-end and experience-led travellers.
Air connectivity accelerates tourism momentum
Improved air access is reinforcing Zanzibar’s growth trajectory. Investments in airport and aviation capacity have supported the introduction of more direct international flights, both chartered and scheduled, improving access from key source markets.
According to Seif Abdallah Juma, Director General of the Zanzibar Airport Authority, approximately 575 aircraft landings were recorded in January, slightly higher than in December. The figures point to sustained airline activity and position aviation expansion as a key driver of Zanzibar’s tourism momentum.
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While hotel investment and air connectivity continue to accelerate, industry observers note that Zanzibar’s tourism offer remains heavily weighted toward accommodation. Investment in family-friendly attractions, cultural and interpretive assets, marinas, museums and large-scale experiential infrastructure has lagged behind the growth in visitor numbers.
“There is strong demand, but the depth of product has not yet caught up with the volume of arrivals,” said one investment advisor active in East Africa. “That gap creates an opportunity for investors who are looking beyond hotels and towards experiences that lengthen stays and diversify visitor spend.”
Transport investment signals long-term confidence
Rising demand is also reflected in investment in transport and logistics. Azam Marine, the region’s leading ferry operator, recently commissioned Kilimanjaro Number 9, a modern high-capacity passenger vessel representing an investment of USD 12.9 million.
The vessel can carry more than 600 passengers per trip and operates up to 13 sailings a day between Dar es Salaam, Unguja and Pemba. The investment has also expanded operational staffing, reflecting expectations of sustained growth in passenger volumes.
“In island economies, transport capacity is a leading indicator,” said a senior executive at Azam Marine. “You do not invest at this scale unless you have confidence in long-term demand.”
Eco-tourism and conservation draw investor interest
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Beyond traditional tourism assets, investors are increasingly exploring opportunities in eco-tourism and conservation-linked developments. Zanzibar is home to 11 officially designated forest conservation areas, six of which have already attracted investment interest.
These projects signal a growing appetite for developments that combine conservation, sustainability and nature-based tourism, aligning closely with Zanzibar’s long-term environmental and economic priorities.
Government pushes for deeper, more diverse tourism
Government officials say the current moment represents a strategic window for early-stage investment in attractions, cultural infrastructure, family experiences, eco-tourism and integrated leisure developments that can complement the rapid expansion of hotel capacity.
“We are actively encouraging investment that adds depth, diversity and resilience to Zanzibar’s tourism offering,” said Dr Jumbe. “Investors who come in now have an opportunity not only to benefit from growth, but to help shape the destination’s tourism landscape for the next decade.”
A pivotal moment for Zanzibar’s next tourism phase
With demand indicators rising, global brands committing capital, air connectivity expanding and transport capacity scaling up in parallel, industry analysts suggest Zanzibar is approaching a familiar inflection point for island destinations worldwide.
As hotel capacity grows to meet demand, the next phase of Zanzibar’s tourism evolution is likely to be defined by early investment in experiential, cultural and sustainable infrastructure, setting the benchmarks that will shape the destination’s identity in the years ahead.
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