Direct flights raise the bar
IT IS nearly impossible to
mention Zanzibar without
the inevitable comparisons
with Mauritius and Seychelles
but since the island welcomed
Mango Airlines’ direct flights
out of Johannesburg, tourism
numbers have risen and its
tourism offering has improved
accordingly.
Mango introduced direct
flights to Zanzibar in 2013 and
is currently the only airline to
fly directly to the island from
South Africa. “Our direct route
is doing extremely well,” says
Mango spokesperson, Hein
Kaiser, “so well, in fact, that
we added a second weekly
flight in December last year.”
The two-year-old route,
Mango’s first into Africa,
was always designed to
appeal to leisure travellers.
“We will leave our parent
company [SAA] to deal with
the corporates,” says Hein.
“Meanwhile, we plan to expand
our footprint and relationships
on the island. We tried to
do this by introducing a third
flight during the high season
between December 22 and
January 5.”
Historically, Zanzibar’s
largest market was Italian
guests but recently, with more
international carriers flying to
the island, there has been
an increase in visitors from
Europe, Asia and South Africa,
says Abre Esterhuizen, gm of
the Sea Cliff Resort and Spa.
South Africans constitute
10% of Zanzibar’s inbound
tourism. Of the 18 000 South
Africans who visit the island
annually, at least 11 000 fly in
directly, says Gallery Tours and
Safaris gm, David Alex. “With
more direct flights, we are
more attractive to tourists, and
this is important because so
much of our island economy is
built on tourism.”
Where to stay
The Sea Cliff Resort and
Spa offers 120 rooms,
96 of which are sea
facing and 38 are twin
bedded. A deluxe room
can accommodate a family,
as two extra beds can fit
inside, says Diana Howell,
marketing manager of the
property.
“We do not have many
categories of rooms, so
we are easy for agents for
book. We are flexible with
booking specifications and
we are in a low-malaria area.
The resort is affordable too
– agents and tour operators
can book superior rooms at
garden room rates.”
The resort overlooks the
crystal blue-green ocean,
Zanzibar’s biggest selling
point, says Thompsons
Holidays’ product and
contracting executive for the
Indian Ocean and Middle
East, Lynette Smith, who
adds that South African
families look for value for
money and affordability, both
of which are offered by the
beach-side Sea Cliff Resort.
Lots of things to do
Easy access and a
short flight from South
Africa mean little if the
destination offers substandard
facilities. Zanzibar
is upping its game with the
introduction of international
hospitality groups and new
facilities, such as its first
golf course at the Sea Cliff
Resort and Spa.
“What we have here is a
little gem,” says Sea Cliff’s
gm of the golf course, Hein
Papenfus. “This course
is for the locals, tourists
– everybody.” Overlooking
the ocean, the nine-hole,
14-tee course grants Sea
Cliff residents preferential
rates and tee-off times.
“It’s a world-class golf
course with a local flavour,”
he says.
Sea Cliff also offers
a daily complimentary
shuttle service into Stone
Town. A Unesco World
Heritage Site, the town still
boasts its original design
and infrastructure, with
souvenir stores and tour
guides to provide travellers
with a tailored experience.
Alternatively, the spice
tour allows travellers to
walk through a seemingly
unending spice yard,
where the island grows
the produce for which it is
most famous. Guests are
treated to singing by locals
and presented with a gift
of a crown or watch made
from coconut leaves. After
listening to the history of
the spices and seeing,
smelling and tasting them,
travellers can purchase the
spices when leaving.
Airport upgrades
While the beautiful beaches,
warm weather and impressive
facilities are a hit with
travellers, Zanzibar is not
without its challenges. “The
airport needs restructuring,”
Abre says. “This has started
with the renovation of the
new international terminal.”
The upgrade is scheduled for
completion towards the end
of this year.
Hein Papenfus adds
that competition from
neighbouring Indian Ocean
Islands is a challenge for the
destination. “For example,
our tourism industry is 20
years behind Mauritius,” he
says.
“Nonetheless, the increase
in direct flights as well as
the introduction of
international hospitality
groups on the island, show
confidence in the growth of
Zanzibar as a destination,”
Abre concludes.
