Zanzibar Tourist Arrivals Rise 3.1% in June 2026 as Peak Season Gains Momentum
Zanzibar recorded 69,605 tourist arrivals in June 2026, a 3.1% increase on the 67,496 visitors reported in the same month a year earlier, according to figures released by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism. The month also saw a 73.4% jump from May 2026's 40,151 arrivals, reflecting strong seasonal momentum as peak travel period takes hold. Europe remained the dominant source market, contributing 61.9% of visitors (43,105), followed by Africa at 19.3% (13,418) and Asia at 9.5% (6,585). Air transport accounted for 90.1% of arrivals, with leisure travel making up 99.2% of visits and the average length of stay recorded at eight days.
Tourism remains central to Zanzibar's economy, contributing 29.2% directly to the archipelago's GDP and approximately 80% of its foreign exchange earnings. Tourism stakeholder Dr Stela Ngoma attributed the continued growth to improvements in airport facilities and transport links connecting Zanzibar with mainland Tanzania and international destinations, noting that infrastructure upgrades have increased traveller confidence in choosing the islands as a holiday destination. The broader trend remains positive - the twelve months ending November 2025 saw 736,755 arrivals, a 16.2% year-on-year increase - reinforcing Zanzibar's position as one of Africa's most consistently performing island tourism markets.
Source: Tanania Investment
