ZANZIBAR: Zanzibar received 86,839 international visitors in February, a 4.9% increase from a year earlier, though arrivals fell compared with January as seasonal travel patterns shifted, official data showed.
Statistics released by the tourism unit of the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (Zanzibar) showed the number of visitors rose from 82,750 recorded in February 2025, but declined 13.3% from January’s 100,216 arrivals.
Europe remained the archipelago’s largest tourism market, accounting for 77.4% of visitors, followed by Africa with 10%, Asia with 6.2% and the Americas with 6.1%.
Most travellers entered through Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, which handled over 94% of arrivals, while the remainder came via seaports.
Nearly all visitors travelled for leisure, with 99.7% visiting for holidays, according to the report.
Tourism is one of the most important pillars of Zanzibar’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings and government revenue.
Authorities are aiming to attract one million tourists annually, a target officials say will require broader market diversification and improved services for visitors.
Officials from the Zanzibar Tourism Commission said efforts are under way to expand promotion in additional European markets.