Zanzibar Tourism Statistics Shows Increase in International Visitors
SUMMARY – ZANZIBAR TOURISM STATISTICS: ZANZIBAR’S TOURISM FLOURISHED IN JULY 2023, WITH A 1.0% RISE IN INTERNATIONAL VISITORS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AS EUROPEAN TOURISTS, LED BY THE FRENCH, CONTINUED TO SHAPE THE ISLAND’S MARKET DOMINANCE.
Zanzibar’s serene beaches and enchanting culture continue to cast a spell on international tourists, as the island paradise experiences a substantial surge in visitors during July 2023. The latest Zanzibar tourism statistics unveil a remarkable 1.0 percent increase compared to the same period last year, welcoming a total of 58,711 visitors to its shores. This wave of tourism momentum also boasts a notable 23.4 percent escalation from June 2023’s visitor count of 47,595.
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European Dominance Persists
Europe, with its diverse nations and cultures, maintains its prominence as the driving force behind Zanzibar’s tourism market. European visitors account for a noteworthy 65.9 percent of the total visitors in July 2023. Among these nations, the French take the lead, contributing 10.1 percent of the total visitors during the month, closely trailed by British tourists at 8.0 percent. In contrast, New Zealand’s presence remains modest, contributing less than one percent to the overall visitor count.
Gateways of Arrival
Data underscores the airport’s central role as the primary entry point, with 88.3 percent of visitors choosing to land on Zanzibar’s shores through this route. Among them, 49,275 arrived via international flights, while 2,559 opted for domestic connections. Seaports accounted for the remaining 6,877 visitors, with a minute number of 6 individuals arriving by cruise ship and a substantial 6,871 by sea ferries from Tanzania Mainland.
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Holiday Pursuits Dominate
July 2023 bears witness to a captivating trend, with 99.4 percent of visitors setting their sights on the island for a leisure-filled holiday. A mere 0.4 percent journeyed to visit friends and relatives, while a slender 0.2 percent had other purposes for their visit.
Diverse Demographics Unveiled
Demographics paint an intriguing picture, revealing a near-even distribution between male and female visitors. Out of the total visitor count, 47.4 percent comprised male travelers (27,807 visitors), and 52.6 percent embraced female visitors (30,904 visitors). A significant surge is noted in both categories, with male visitors experiencing a growth of 16.3 percent and female visitors surging by 30.4 percent compared to the preceding month of June 2023.
Age Categories Illuminate Diversity
Categorizing visitors by age groups illuminates the diversity of Zanzibar’s appeal. Among the visitors, 10.6 percent were children under the age of 15, 85.7 percent fell within the working-age bracket of 15 to 64 years, and 3.6 percent comprised retirees aged 65 and older.
Emerging Markets’ Enthusiastic Arrival
Zanzibar’s allure extends to emerging markets, evidenced by a remarkable 27.7 percent increase in visitors from Poland, India, Russia, Israel, China, and Ukraine when compared to July 2022’s figures.
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Extended Escapades and Bed-Space Comfort
With a penchant for extended experiences, 21.9 percent of visitors opted for a seven-day sojourn in July 2023. The overall average intended length of stay settled at an inviting eight nights (8.2), underscoring the island’s ability to captivate and enthrall.
Bed-space availability remained robust, with 701,189 accommodations available in July 2023. A significant portion, approximately 68.4 percent, was occupied, with 479,742 bed sales recorded for the month.
Seven-Month Surge in Visitor Influx
Over the past seven months, Zanzibar’s tourism sector witnessed an impressive surge of 340,750 visitors from January to July 2023, marking a commendable 30.4 percent increase compared to the corresponding months in 2022. Among these visitors, 308,115 chose to enter through the airport, while the remaining 32,635 arrived via seaport. Within this remarkable influx, Europe’s contribution stands tall, accounting for a substantial 73.3 percent of the total visitors. Notably, the French emerge as the leading market, contributing 11.5 percent to the total count.
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| Mode of Entry | |
| Entry Point | Visitors |
| Airport | 51,834 |
| – International | 49,275 |
| – Domestic | 2,559 |
| Seaport | 6,877 |
| – Cruise Ship | 6 |
| – Sea Ferries | 6,871 |
| Purpose of Visit | |
| Purpose | Percentage |
| Holidays | 99.4% |
| Visiting Friends | 0.4% |
| Other Purposes | 0.2% |
| Gender Breakdown | |
| Gender | Percentage |
| Male | 47.4% |
| Female | 52.6% |
| Age Categories | |
| Age Group | Percentage |
| < 15 years | 10.6% |
| 15 – 64 years | 85.7% |
| >= 65 years | 3.6% |
| Average Length of Stay | |
| Length of Stay | Percentage |
| 7 days | 21.9% |
| Average | 8.2 nights |
| Bed Occupancy Rate | |
| Bed Occupancy Rate | Percentage |
| July 2023 | 68.4% |
| Seven Months Performance Overview | |
| Metrics | 2023 |
| Total Visitors | 340,750 |
| Increase (YoY) | +30.4% |
| European Visitors | 73.3% |
| Leading Market | French |
This consolidated table provides an in-depth overview of Zanzibar’s tourism statistics for the specified periods, encompassing various metrics such as international visitors, mode of entry, purpose of visit, gender breakdown, age categories, average length of stay, bed occupancy rate, and a comprehensive performance overview for seven months.
