Zanzibar’s appeal to South Africans continues to strengthen. A wave of airline expansion, including Airlink's new Cape Town service and additional Johannesburg frequencies, as well as LIFT's interest in the route, points to growing confidence in the island.
Mauritius remains the leading Indian Ocean destination for South African travellers. However, Zanzibar has established itself as one of the fastest-growing destinations in the region, now that it is easier to get there.
“For Cape Town clients, having that direct Airlink route has been a game-changer but what’s exciting is the shake-up in Johannesburg. With Airlink, Air Tanzania, and FlySafair all competing on the Johannesburg route, clients have more choice, better flight schedules, and fantastic price options,” said Farzanah Amod, Manager of African Tyme.
What's driving demand?
According to Amod, Zanzibar’s growth comes down to two things: better flights and unbelievable value.
“The competition among the five-star luxury resorts is working entirely in clients’ favour. Properties are rolling out special rates and premium all-inclusive packages that give travellers that high-end luxury feel without the stressful price tag,” said Amod.
The island has also benefited from increased international investment in terms of its accommodation offering. “The destination has matured over the past decade, supported by substantial investment from international hotel groups and continued growth in tourism infrastructure,” said Victoria Webster, GM of Commercial at The Holiday Factory.
Zanzibar is still more affordable than other Indian Ocean destinations. “It is still the cheapest Indian Ocean Island holiday, although not as cheap as three or four years ago, due to demand picking up. Lots of boutique resorts at great prices are still available in areas untouched by overtourism,” said Lianné Barnard, Founder of Wander World Travel.
Family appeal grows
One of the most significant changes has been the growth in family travel. “Historically, Zanzibar was perceived as a honeymoon destination. However, significant investment in the tourism sector has changed that perception,” said Webster.
Many of the island's leading resorts offer purpose-built family accommodation, dedicated kids’ clubs and professionally supervised childcare programmes, bringing Zanzibar more in line with established family destinations such as Mauritius.
MICE growth
Interest in Zanzibar as a MICE destination has also grown. “Corporates are realising it’s an incredible backdrop for executive retreats and team-building. Many of the premium five-star resorts now offer top-tier meeting facilities, allowing groups to blend serious strategy sessions with world-class beach experiences,” said Amod.
She said the destination ticked every box corporate planners looked for:
- Short direct flights out of South Africa
- No visa requirements for South African passport holders
- World-class beaches and five-star resorts that accommodate large groups
- All-inclusive packages that help manage corporate budgets
However, Barnard believes the infrastructure for MICE is still lagging. “There are a lot of resorts that offer enough rooms and lots to do for groups and incentives. But the island itself, the roads and the activities outside of resorts, are not geared up for groups that are too big,” said Barnard.
In this regard, Webster said Mauritius remained better equipped overall for large-scale MICE travel. “Mauritius has a broader range of dedicated conference facilities and extensive experience in hosting international events. It is often more competitively priced than many people realise.”
Barriers
Despite its accessibility and value for money, Zanzibar still has some barriers.
Amod said this included navigating recent regulatory costs such as the US$5 (R80) per person, per night infrastructure tax collected at hotel check-out, and the mandatory $44 (R712) travel insurance that must be purchased before arrival. “These extra fees require us to be highly proactive with consumer education so that clients understand their entry compliance requirements and total trip budgeting.”
