Taking Zanzibar’s Tourism to The Next Level

Zanzibar was recently named the ‘second-best island getaway destination’ in 2024 according to Bounce in a study titled ‘The island index’. It isn’t hard to see why; Zanzibar has sprawling beaches covered in snow-white sand, crystal blue waters, and every street is filled with character and history.

The island’s economy is also quite reliant on tourism. The Zanzibar Tourism Satellite Account reports that in 2019, both out-bound and in-bound tourism generated approximately 2.3 trillion Tanzanian Shillings. It isn’t far-fetched to assume that the number has grown since.

That’s not to say that there isn’t any room for improvement; tourists are often left wanting during the planning process, having to juggle multiple tabs with contradictory advice on how to experience Zanzibar, stress over spreadsheets and frantically buy Swahili dictionaries. After deciding to come to Zanzibar, the parts that come after—making all the bookings, reservations, and budgeting for the trip—are the much more cumbersome and time-taking parts of planning your holiday.

Now, imagine a hypothetical application, aptly named ‘ZAPP’, a centralized platform where you can do all this in one go; not only that, but having an itinerary custom-made according to your preferences, complete with a pre-determined budget. The app handles what is essentially your entire trip; from booking hotels, reserving Sauti za Busara—Zanzibar’s annual music festival—tickets, your spending, all to maximise your immersion in the Zanzibar experience.

The Role Of Data Analytics

Using the insurmountable amount of data that the tourism sector generates, can make personalisation a reality thanks to data analytics. Not to mention, all parties involved get to see the advantages of the technology.

Businesses can use the insights gathered to improve their customer services, determine what sells best, and adapt accordingly. The better the quality of the services, the more likely it is for customers to return to Zanzibar in the future.

Their operations also become more efficient, leading to a more sustainable use of resources and energy. This would help further Zanzibar’s ‘Sustainable Tourism Declaration,’ described as a statement of intent to embrace sustainability in the tourism industry.

Tourists get to have a personalized experience during their holiday. By analysing the users’ interests, the platform can determine what activities, resorts, restaurants, and excursions are best suited to the visitor. Zanzibar has a plethora of each, and sometimes deciding what to pick can be overwhelming; data analysis can help cut down the choices by taking into account preferences on both and individual and demographical level, budget, any available deals, length of stay, season, and more.

All in all, ZAPP and its utilization of data analytics can lead to some unforgettable trips, which increase one’s incentive to come, spread the word about Zanzibar, as well as the likelihood of repeat visits. Who wouldn’t want to return to paradise?

And then, once you have your itinerary, comes the question of ‘How on earth will I pay for this?’ That’s when the digitization of transactions comes in.

The Digitilization of Transactions

One of the most cumbersome things to keep an eye on while on vacation is your cash. Before traveling, one is always advised to carry cash on their person as plenty of smaller, local shops and businesses do not always have card scanners. And carrying around wads of money can be anxiety-inducing while you are supposed to be enjoying your holiday.

Having a digital wallet would help ease this anxiousness. Imagine this: before heading out for that day’s activities, you open up ZAPP, verify your identity, and check your wallet’s balance. Noticing that you are running a bit low on cash, you transfer some funds from your bank account and set off on your   adventures.

When you arrive at Jozani Forest – you scan the QR code at the front-desk, successfully paying for your tour and going on your merry way. This is the kind of convenience that the technology of today can offer for everyone involved.

There is an increased level of transparency at all points. The implementation of  blockchain technology in these transactions would provide an even greater level of transparency, especially between businesses, tourist attractions, and their responsible authorities; each transaction is visible to all  participants, and nearly impossible to alter or delete. This helps lower the likelihood of money  going non recorded and pocketed.

For tourists, the convenience is undeniable. Plenty of accommodations have safes in their rooms, but they are not typically the most reliable mode of safekeeping your belongings and cash. Sometimes, we ourselves are not the best at carrying our own cash, and while the people of Zanzibar will always be kind enough to stop you and hand it back lost money, it is better to mitigate such risks. Having your money in your digital wallet allows for more freedom; transactions are instant, cashless, and swift.

Artificial Intelligence

And with the help of Artificial Intelligence, tourists can experience Zanzibar at a much deeper level than ever before. Conversations can be made easier with the help of ZAPP’s virtual assistant.

There is often a language barrier between Zanzibari vendors and foreign customers, especially in the cases where English is neither parties first language. Thanks to the rapid translation capabilities of AI, you can step right into the heart Zanzibar without the need to worry about losing time on one-sided conversations or missing out on one-of-a-kind experiences. For example, one of the most unforgettable experiences in Zanzibar is bargaining at the Darajani Market, and AI technology opens up the ability for everyone to participate in the fun.

Those with a flair for adventure can also use the AI-powered assistant to guide them through the winding streets of Stone Town and the sandy beaches of Zanzibar easily. This is especially advantageous to backpacker’s, tourists who travel to experience new places on a budget and on a more immersive  level.

Facilitating safe navigation as they traverse across the island provides incentive for them to return, share the wonders they saw with friends and family, and want to experience Zanzibar again and again.

AI can also help be the final push for some to finally decide to visit Zanzibar through its utilization in Virtual Reality technology. Being able to ‘visit’ Zanzibar for a few short minutes, getting a small dose of the exploration of historical sites like Mtoni Ruins, luxurious hotels and beautiful beach scenes waiting for you, can convince those unsure of the trip that it will be worth it.

You can experience the island’s charm before even setting foot on its shores. With all the technology currently available, with the endless possibilities a single app can offer to enhance the experience of being a tourist in Zanzibar, why settle for any less? Making ZAPP a reality with all the up and coming features of the technological world will make convenience the name of the game.

From personalized itineraries to stress-free digital transactions and AI here to emotionally hold your hand, every aspect of one’s trip can be enhanced by cutting-edge technology. Zanzibar is already a massive tourist destination, and embracing recent technological advancements to both improve the experience for tourists as well as help local businesses grow is just another step in the right direction for the island to thrive.

Hissham Abdukadir

Mass Communication & PR Strategists (PR, Creative Content Design & Media Management)