Zanzibar Tourism Sees Slight Dip in November, Maintains Strong Annual Performance
Zanzibar experienced a modest 4 percent decline in international tourism in November 2024, recording 67,049 visitors compared to 69,860 in October. Despite this small reduction, the island remains optimistic about reaching its annual target of 800,000 arrivals.
Year-on-year data reveals a significant 17 percent increase from November 2023, when only 57,296 tourists visited the destination. European travelers continue to dominate the tourism landscape, representing 73 percent of total arrivals.
Italy emerged as the top source market, contributing 11.2 percent of visitors, followed closely by France at 9.4 percent. However, some European markets like the United Kingdom and Germany experienced notable declines of 25 percent and 35.6 percent, respectively.
Airport arrivals remained the primary entry point, with 88.4 percent of visitors entering through this route. Leisure travel overwhelmingly drove tourism, with 99.3 percent of visitors coming for recreational purposes.
The visitor demographic showed an almost equal gender split, with 49.5 percent male and 50.5 percent female travelers. The majority of tourists fell within the 15-64 age group, comprising 88.3 percent of total arrivals.
Emerging markets demonstrated promising growth, with Poland, India, and Russia showing a 5.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Conversely, American and Oceanian visitor numbers experienced declines.
While November saw a slight monthly decrease, Zanzibar’s tourism sector remains robust, attracting a diverse international audience and maintaining its position as a premier global destination.
