Zanzibar has been advertising the destination in the US and Europe and also new markets in Asia, mainly China and India.

“We have been intensifying marketing in emerging markets of Asia as well as our key source markets of US and western countries,” said Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) Chairman, Ahmada Khatib.

As a result, he said international tourist numbers from China and India were increasing, boosting Zanzibar’s tourism sector.

The ZCT has also partnered with film makers and wedding planners from India as part of efforts to woo more Indian tourists. “When the Indians come to make films here in Zanzibar it enables us to attract more tourists, as well as couples who come to wed in our destination,” added Khatib.

He said, following the increase in visitors, he expected the total number of international holidaymakers to exceed 300 000 a year. “If the advertisements in overseas markets are continued, together with good infrastructure, security and political stability, we might register over 500 000 tourists by 2020.”

Khatib pointed out that Zanzibar was promoting sustainable tourism through the protection of environment and the beaches.

He downplayed perception that international tourists switched from Kenya to Zanzibar due to terrorist attacks in Kenya in 2014. “It is unjustifiable to link the increasing tourists in Zanzibar to problems in Kenya.”