EXECUTIVE Secretary of Zanzibar Commission for Tourism Hafsa Mbamba has said that every person has a duty to preserve tourist attractions because tourism is the backbone of Zanzibar's economy.

Mbamba made the call yesterday when speaking at a training session that involved businesspeople and tourism stakeholders in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The training session was part of Zanzibar Pride Festival celebrations.

She said the government's goal is to ensure that the tourism sector continues to play a major role in the economy to increase the percentage of contribution beyond the current 30 percent in the coming years.

Mbamba mentioned that to revolutionize the sector and increase its contribution to Zanzibar's income, the commission organizes tourist games, exhibitions and conferences to attract more tourists to visit Zanzibar.

“We are committed to ensuring innovation in increasing the number of tourists visiting Zanzibar and we have already expanded our scope by promoting tourism through sports and various conferences held in Zanzibar,” she said.

She emphasized that to achieve the goals, peace and stability must be maintained as tourists would not visit areas experiencing conflict.

Mbamba also said that participants who received the training were expected to act as good ambassadors, providing excellent services and promoting Zanzibar through the products they create.

She noted that the tourism sector has provided employment to many young people both from within and outside Zanzibar, adding that now is the time for the youth to innovate in their businesses to meet the demands of the tourism market.

“To compete in the market for tourist products produced in Zanzibar, business owners must first protect the culture and traditions of Zanzibar along with its hospitality,” she said.

Trainer Milan Divecha said that traders have a significant role in promoting Zanzibar tourism but they must be hospitable to visitors and be innovative in the products they produce to keep up with the changing times.

He stressed that it is unwise for traders to abandon their work by imitating foreign cultures as Zanzibar is self-sufficient in its own rich culture.

Traders who received the training pledged that they would apply the knowledge gained to improve their businesses and act as good ambassadors to their peers.