Ayub Mahmoud said that today attracting investors from all over the world is the most important. That is why we are very interested in attracting the largest number of investors who could invest in various construction projects related to the hotel business and infrastructure. Today, Nungwi usually accounts for 60% of the total tourist flow, but unfortunately, we still do not have enough places to accommodate tourists. Especially, this is felt in the midst of the tourist season - almost all rooms are occupied. Therefore, if you do not book accommodation in advance, then you simply risk not finding it during the peak season (December-January).
Representative of the Tourism Commission, marketing specialist Khalfan Mohamed noted that many tourists come to Zanzibar. Most of them are in search of a beach holiday, knowledge of culture, history, heritage. Zanzibar also boasts an original nature. Here tourists can go scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, kite surfing. These are the favorite water sports for many tourists. This year, a new type of water entertainment has become popular in Zanzibar - sky-dive.
The Tourism Commission divides the tourism market into two categories: potential and provisioned. The potential market is the prevailing number of tourists from Italy, Germany, USA, Kenya, South Africa. The situation here has not changed over the past 20 years. The presented market includes creative China, Russia, India. If earlier we enjoyed and were content with figures from the potential market, now we have entered a new market, which includes, for example, Russia.
He also noted that many foreign participants are expected for the next forum in Zanzibar, so the main goal of this year was to motivate foreign guests of other nationalities to participate in this forum.
The Zanzibar Tourism Commission is responsible not only for tourism itself, but also for the island's cultural heritage. The main task of the commission is to promote Zanzibar as a destination. In addition, the tourist commission is the direct regulator of tourism, monitors the full implementation of all plans, the development of the direction, and also regulates tourism more as a business.
He also added that today Pemba (another island in the Zanzibar archipelago) is the most attractive destination for tourists, thanks to its beautiful pristine beaches and soft atmosphere. This is a great place to invest also because investors will be provided with government support. President Mwini Hussein insists on the need to create a favorable atmosphere for investors. The island has a good investment policy, which can serve as an excellent opportunity for investors from all over the world to come.
The fact that the International Tourism Forum of Zanzibar was held during the rainy season, instead of which there was wonderful weather, confirms that in the near future Zanzibar will become a resort for tourists from all over the world, which can be visited all year round.
The high season is in December-January, from April to the end of May, it is the rainy season. It is at this time that Zanzibar needs to be developed so that there is no season with low tourist rates in the future. This is what we need to strive for, Khalfan Mohamed assured, because already now various strategies and methodologies are being prepared.
Regarding the restrictions related to COVID-19, the organizers of the forum have followed all the standard protocols of Zanzibar, as everyone understands the importance of the necessary measures.
Forum participants are mainly youth representatives of tourism, many of whom came from the mainland of Tanzania, our Zanzibari diaspora from England and journalists from other countries. The main goal of the event was to attract people to Zanzibar.
This year we are working especially closely with young people, because they are the main driving force. Without youth development, there will be no blue economy and green tourism, because it directly depends on the initiative and prospects for youth development.
The first day of the forum began with a discussion on blue and green tourism. The speaker was the honorary member of ZATO Mahmoud Tambit Combo. He chose communication technologies in the blue economy as the topic of his speech.
On the second day, the participants went to Jambiani beach, first visiting the Zanzibar-Mazingini National Reserve Park, as well as the famous ancient Cuza Cave cave, where sacred rituals were held before the time of the Omani Sultanate. The cave has long been considered a place of power. On the third day of the forum, the participants had a great opportunity to visit the Mnarani Baraka Aquarium, where underwater turtles live. A natural eco-reservoir in which turtles are conserved and cared for, helped to grow to the correct age, and then released into the open ocean.
The adventures of the forum guests did not end there. They circled Nungwi Beach all the way to Kendwa in an old, traditional dhow boat, where they could enjoy the sunset, which is especially beautiful during the rainy season.
The cultural program of the forum included a performance by the young group Triple R&Z (@triple_r_and_z). Three bright and talented young performers sang trendy songs about Tanzania.
At the end of the forum, guests of honor from the Ministry of Tourism solemnly awarded all participants with certificates.
