Zanzibar Sees Surge in International Arrivals in April 2025
Zanzibar experienced a significant increase in international tourist arrivals in April 2025, welcoming 37,137 visitors—a 28.1% rise compared to the same month in 2024, as reported by the Office of the Chief Government Statistician.
While this marks a remarkable improvement, the island saw a 38.5% decline from the peak of 60,345 visitors recorded in March 2025. Analysts attribute this typical month-to-month fluctuation to seasonal shifts as tourism transitions into a quieter period.
Despite this dip, Zanzibar’s overall trajectory indicates a robust recovery in the tourism sector post-pandemic, solidifying its growing reputation as a prime destination for both leisure and cultural travel.
Europe continues to dominate as the main source of tourists, making up 50% of all arrivals. Germany led the charge with 10.2% of total visitors, followed by South Africa at 7.6% and the United Kingdom at 5.1%. Italy also remained among the top five contributors, despite a recent drop, maintaining strong numbers from earlier this year.
Zanzibar is increasingly benefiting from targeted outreach to non-traditional markets. Notably, tourist arrivals from India, China, and Israel surged, with Israeli visitors skyrocketing by 243% year-on-year. Chinese arrivals nearly doubled, increasing by 98.5%, while visitors from India rose by 39.8%.
These gains highlight the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to diversify Zanzibar’s tourism base. A senior tourism official remarked on the positive outcomes from strategic marketing initiatives aimed at Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Air travel remains the primary mode of arrival, with 88.3% of tourists—32,779—entering via airports. Among these, 26,879 arrived on international flights, while others included 5,900 arriving through domestic connections. An additional 4,358 visitors made their way through seaports.
The majority of visitors, 99.1%, cited leisure as their primary reason for travel, with a small fraction visiting for personal or business reasons.
Demographically, men accounted for 53.2% of arrivals, with 84% of visitors aged between 15 and 64. Children under 15 represented 8.5%, while senior visitors aged 65 and above made up 7.5%.
Visitors averaged a stay of seven days, with most spending between five and seven days on the island. Available accommodations totaled 884,430 bed spaces, of which 247,083 were occupied, leading to a 27.9% occupancy rate. While this reflects a decrease from peak season, it still exceeds figures from previous years, indicating ongoing growth in the demand for tourism.
In terms of regional visitor growth, Kenya recorded a 101% increase compared to April 2024, while South Africa maintained significant numbers. Notably, Asia saw substantial gains from India, Israel, and China, thanks in part to enhanced air connectivity and focused marketing.
Conversely, North America faced a downturn, with U.S. visitor numbers dropping by 46.7% from March, and Canada also experiencing a noticeable decline. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand maintained consistent contributions, accounting for 0.6% of total arrivals.
Emerging markets, including Poland, India, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, and China, experienced a remarkable 65% increase in visitors compared to April 2024. However, some markets, such as Russia and Ukraine, showed monthly reductions, yet their long-term growth remains promising.
As the tourism sector continues its recovery, officials emphasize that recent figures reflect resilience and underscore the importance of strategic planning. Sustainable tourism will be vital for future growth, necessitating investments in infrastructure, environmental protection, product diversification, and digital transformation.
Zanzibar is evolving beyond a mere beach destination into a culturally rich experience available year-round. Sustaining this growth will require intentional investments in quality, accessibility, and sustainability.
