Zanzibar, the world-renowned Spice Island, is well on its way for a new era of strategic tourism development as it prepares to host this year’s AviaDev event. At the forefront of this vision is Arif Abbas, the Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), who is spearheading efforts to refine the island’s tourism strategy.
In a December 2024 episode of AviaDev Insight podcast with Jon Howell who is also the Founder and Managing Director of AviaDev Africa, Abbas shared insights into the importance of sustainable tourism growth, the rationale behind co-hosting AviaDev 2025 with the Zanzibar Airports Authority, and the renewed emphasis on African connectivity.
Appointed as Executive Secretary in 2023, Abbas brings with him extensive experience in tourism oversight. His tenure as the tourism head in the Presidential Delivery Bureau provided him with a deep understanding of Zanzibar’s strategic priorities. “I used to work with ZCT for a very long time, even before my appointment,” he said. “So, stepping into this role was a seamless transition.”
With tourism contributing approximately 30% of Zanzibar’s GDP, Abbas recognizes its central role in the island’s economic development. However, the new administration is not merely focused on increasing visitor numbers. “We want to be very smart and careful about growth,” Abbas emphasized. “In the past, we had high volumes but low impact. Our goal now is to have controlled numbers while ensuring that every visitor contributes meaningfully to Zanzibar’s economy.”
Partnering with AviaDev to strengthen air connectivity
In June 2025, Zanzibar will host AviaDev, a premier aviation development event, in partnership with the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA). The decision to co-host this event aligns with Zanzibar’s long-term tourism strategy. “There is no way we can grow the sector without the right connectivity,” Abbas noted. “We work very closely with ZAA, and we both have seats on each other’s boards to ensure a unified approach to development.”
Zanzibar has already made strides in expanding its air connectivity, with direct flights from Spain being one recent success. “We aim to tap into new markets beyond our traditional European visitors,” Abbas revealed. “We want to grow our presence in Asia, the Americas, and most importantly, within Africa. That’s why hosting AviaDev here is a perfect fit.”
Beyond volume: Quality & sustainability
Zanzibar welcomed over 638,000 tourists in 2023, and projections indicate that this number could rise to 720,000 by early 2025. However, sheer numbers are no longer the primary metric of success. “We have done a carrying capacity study, and we now focus on sustainable growth,” Abbas explained. “Instead of overcrowding, we are developing smaller private resorts on the island’s 54 smaller isles, akin to the Maldives model.”
Environmental conservation is at the heart of this strategy. “We have learned from destinations that suffered from over-tourism and are now ghost towns,” Abbas said. “Zanzibar will not make the same mistake. We are implementing strict environmental policies, improving waste management, and ensuring that tourism benefits local communities.”
A renewed focus on African markets
One of Zanzibar’s emerging priorities is increasing African visitor numbers. “For too long, our primary market has been Europe. Now, we are shifting focus to intra-African tourism,” Abbas said. “We see tremendous potential in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, among others. The unique blend of culture, heritage, and hospitality in Zanzibar is something that resonates with many African travelers.”
Zanzibar’s tourism appeal goes beyond sun and sand. “Culture is our biggest selling point,” Abbas stressed. “Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a living cultural hub where visitors can engage with the local way of life. It’s not just a place to visit; it’s an experience to be lived.”
With a clear strategy in place, Zanzibar is poised to become a model of sustainable and high-value tourism in Africa. “We are building an ecosystem where tourism supports economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community well-being,” Abbas concluded. “We are excited for what the future holds, and we look forward to welcoming the world—and especially Africa—to Zanzibar.”
As the island prepares to host AviaDev 2025, all eyes will be on how Zanzibar executes this vision. If Abbas’ approach is any indication, the Spice Island is on a path to becoming one of the most well-managed and desirable tourism destinations in the world.
