A TOTAL of 68,223 tourists visited Zanzibar in July 2024, marking a 16.2 percent increase compared to the 58,711 visitors who arrived in July 2023.

Italy topped the list with 7,703 visitors, accounting for 11.3 percent of all visitors, followed by France with 5,442 visitors (8.0percent).

Hassan Ameir Vuai, research and tourism officer at the Commission for Tourism, disclosed the figures yesterday here while presenting tourist arrival statistics for July this year.

He said United Kingdom (UK) was third with 5,090 visitors (7.5 percent), Germany fourth with 4,587 visitors (6.7 percent), and Poland fifth with 4,519 visitors, representing 6.6percent.

He reported that a total of 45,293 visitors arrived from Europe, accounting for 66.4 percent, followed by Africa with 8,638 visitors or 12.7 percent. Asia was third with 8,022 visitors, representing 11.2 percent, and Oceania had 731 visitors, or 1.1 percent.

He added that 60,178 visitors, or 88.2 percent, entered Zanzibar through airports, while 8,045 visitors, or 11.8 percent, arrived via seaport.

“Of the visitors, 34,818 (51.0 percent) were male and 33,405 (49.0 percent) were female,” he said.

Additionally, he stated that 99.1 percent of the visitors came for leisure, 0.5 percent visited friends and relatives and 0.4 percent came for other reasons such as business and meetings.

Shami Chamicha, assistant manager in charge of economics at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) -Zanzibar branch, noted that the growth in the tourism sector was strengthening the isles’ economy and improving the wellbeing of its residents.

Shariff Bakar Shariff, Public Relations Officer at the Zanzibar Immigration Department, reported that the department had enhanced its services, including upgrading electronic systems to facilitate easier visa applications for both residents and visitors.

He added that the improvements have helped reduce inconveniences for applicants both within and outside Zanzibar.