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Unguja. Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives stated that although there have been ongoing government initiatives to boost tourism, the industry has not achieved the desired outcomes, urging a reassessment of approaches to enhance tourism market expansion.

The members of the House of Representatives expressed their worries during the current meetings taking place on Saturday, 23 May 2026, in Chukwani, Unguja, Zanzibar.

Members of the House of Representatives were discussing the projected income and spending figures for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for the 2026/27 fiscal year.

In the House, Mr. Kombo Mwinyi Shehe, the Wingwi Representative from ACT Wazalendo, stated that the government, through the relevant ministry, should reassess the methods employed to determine if they are achieving effective results.

“Considerable initiatives are underway to boost tourism, but there is a requirement to reconsider the methods since we are not achieving substantial outcomes as claimed and highlighted at present,” stated Mr. Shehe.

A representative from Wawi, Mr. Bakar Hamad Bakar, expressed comparable views, noting that nations with robust tourism sectors rely significantly on urban centers and historical sites, which Zanzibar should focus on.

“These are the sectors that contribute value without being rigid. We need to set ourselves apart, ensuring tourists keep selecting Zanzibar,” he stated.

He mentioned that tourists will not visit if there is nothing distinctive to draw them in, emphasizing the importance of improving service quality so that guests feel they receive extra value and are motivated to spend more while they are here.

Mr. Bakar further suggested that the promotion of Zanzibar’s attractions should be increased via both local and international media in order to access broader global markets.

He also pointed out that numerous nations utilize festivals to draw in visitors, yet Zanzibar continues to have limited such occasions, which hampers its capacity to achieve desired goals.

The representative highlighted the lack of conference facilities, stating that it would continue to be challenging to draw international events without suitable spaces.

“We are unable to establish an international destination without conference halls,” he stated, adding that long-term plans for building these facilities had been talked about but not put into action, thus raising the question of when they would become a reality.

Amani Representative, Mr. Masoud Amour Masoud, stated that the ministry needs to enhance tourism promotion by focusing on traditional cuisine, highlighting that tourists are typically interested in local foods, although the presentation is still insufficient.

Representative of Pandani, Prof Omar Fakih Hamad, ACT Wazalendo, stated that while tourism is anticipated to play a major role in the economy, the funding provided to the sector is still inadequate.

He mentioned that there remains no defined plan to guarantee continued tourism development, noting that initiatives to protect historical landmarks are not being carried out with sufficient magnitude.

He urged for higher financial support if the government aims to expand the industry, stating that additional undiscovered sites need to be developed to enhance income.

“There are still numerous regions that remain unpublicized and untouched. These places need to be investigated to boost tourism development and enhance income,” he stated.

Member of Parliament, Mr. Ali Suleiman Ameir, from CCM, stated that Zanzibar continues to work on expanding its tourism industry and thus requires additional efforts to meet its goals.

He mentioned that there remains no defined plan for domestic tourism and called on the ministry to implement an organized initiative that promotes local residents’ involvement in travel activities.

The envoy proposed that a minimum of one day be dedicated for Zanzibaris to discover various areas of the islands in order to boost local tourism.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).