Zanzibar unites tourism and investment stakeholders ahead of June expo

Unguja. Zanzibar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) bringing together key players in tourism and investment under one coordinated vision in a significant step toward strengthening its economic prospects.

The agreement, sealed in the presence of Minister of Tourism and Heritage, Mudrick Soraga, marks a turning point in how Zanzibar positions itself on the global stage.

The MoU binds the Zanzibar Tourism and Investment Show (ZTIS) with major industry associations including the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI), the Hotel Association of Zanzibar (HAZ), the Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators (ZATO), the Zanzibar Tour Guides Association (ZATOGA), the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), the Real Estate Development Association (REDA), among others from both Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Soraga hailed the moment as “a significant step forward for the betterment and promotion of Zanzibar.”

He emphasised that, for the first time, all major institutions had come together with a shared commitment to advancing the archipelago’s development agenda.

“We have now created a united front that reflects the unwavering support of all institutions toward the Government of Zanzibar,” he noted.

This unified approach is set to bring a new level of visibility and investor confidence, particularly in the lead-up to the Zanzibar Tourism and Investment Show scheduled for June 20–21, 2025, at the Zanzibar Exhibition Centre in Dimani. Organisers aim to grow ZTIS into the largest tourism and investment exhibition in Africa, positioning it as a hub for showcasing opportunities in real estate, hospitality, infrastructure, and eco-tourism.

The signed agreement represents more than just an administrative milestone—it reflects a maturing of Zanzibar’s tourism ecosystem, where collaboration and shared objectives are becoming the norm.

Tourism continues to be a mainstay of Zanzibar’s economy, contributing over 30 percent to GDP and supporting thousands of jobs. The destination attracted over 736,000 international visitors in 2024—a number expected to rise this year.

 At the same time, interest in real estate and investment properties, particularly holiday homes and eco-lodges, has grown substantially.

Stakeholders say that by converging tourism and real estate interests under one roof, the upcoming ZTIS is expected to create opportunities for strategic partnerships and new ventures.

It will also offer a platform for investors to engage directly with government bodies, tour operators, developers, and entrepreneurs seeking capital for sustainable projects.

As anticipation builds for the June expo, Zanzibar’s message is clear: the island is open for business—united, ambitious, and ready to shape its economic future on its own terms.