THE 61st-Zanzibar Revolution anniversary celebrations in Pemba Island have created significant business and economic opportunities for residents due to the influx of visitors attending the festivities.

A survey conducted by this paper showed that the high number of attendees led to a shortage of services such as accommodation, with all guest houses fully booked. Some residents reported that guest house owners raised accommodation charges, with room rates increasing from an average of between 50,000/- and 70,000/-.

"Since January, visitors have been coming to Pemba but the past few days leading up to the anniversary have overwhelmed the island, benefitting businesses, especially food vendors," said Hamad Ali, a resident of Chakechake.

Ali Bakari, a vendor selling octopus soup at Machomane area, noted that the celebrations had revitalised his business.

"Before this, my business was not doing well. These celebrations have truly been a blessing for traders like me," he said, adding that increased financial circulation boosts local businesses.

On January 11 and 12, transportation between Unguja and Pemba went up, with five boats departing Malindi port in Zanzibar’s stone town for Pemba, carrying visitors to   Gombani grounds for the celebrations.

However, unscrupulous ticket brokers exploited the high demand, selling boat tickets at inflated prices. Tickets that usually cost 20,000/- were sold for 30,000/-, with some lacking proper passenger details, according to the survey.