13th annual Zanzibar International Film Festival: no red carpets, no glitz - just stunning natural settings

(Forimmediaterelease.net) HIGH QUALITY AFRICAN CINEMA, MUSIC AND ARTS FROM JULY 10-18

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania - World-class films with an African focus, international music presentations, and stunning natural settings are in store for those cinema and arts lovers attending the 13th annual Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) July 10-18, 2010. “Tamasha,” as ZIFF is known locally, is the antithesis of a western-style film festival, no red carpets, no glitz. The 2010 festival theme is “Hopes In Harmony."

The must-see films of this year’s festival include Ana’s Playground (USA); the award-winning We are Together (South Africa); Imani (Uganda); and Motherland (USA). The festival will also feature shorts from Zimbabwe and world premiers from Burundi, Tanzania, USA, South Africa, and Australia.

FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS FORUM

As part of ZIFF’s program of events, it will host a two-day Festival Forum, July 15-16, attracting over 30 festival directors from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Brazil, to discuss the role and place of festivals in Africa’s future development. According to ZIFF’s chief executive officer, Dr. Martin Mhando, “This will be an extraordinary opportunity to have an exchange with directors of some of the most successful African film festivals such as Ayuko Babu, director of the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, and Bruce Paddington, director of the Trinidad and Tobago International Film Festival.” The forum is being sponsored by the ARTerial Network.

Stone Town, the Festival’s venue in Zanzibar, is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This colorful port provides an exotic setting for the 10 days of festivities. No film festival in the world can compete with the spectacular setting of Stone Town’s historic amphitheater known as the Old Fort and watching movies under the stars. ZIFF has captivated serious followers of International film and music, students of African culture past and present, and travelers interested in arts-centered fun for over a decade. Originally called the Festival of the Dhow Countries, ZIFF is now not only the largest annual event in East Africa, it is truly one of the most unique in the world. The festival events in Stone Town typically attract 7,000 foreign visitors and more than 120,000 local guests; while the total number of people attending all the festival events held throughout Zanzibar and Pemba is 220,000.

According to Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, managing director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB): “The annual ZIFF event, which grows in popularity from year to year, also attracts visitors because of the unique opportunity to combine a rich cultural experience with a safari to some of Tanzania’s world-renowned National Parks. Short flights from Zanzibar can connect visitors to Arusha, the gateway to the northern safari circuit including the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro, as well as the Ngorongoro Crater; and to Dar es Salaam (only a 15-minute hop) the gateway to the south, including Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. One of Tanzania’s newest parks, Saadani National Park, the only marine/bush park in East Africa, is located on the shores of mainland Tanzania just across from Zanzibar and is accessible by boat. All these create great pre- or post-festival tour options.”

There is no question that the ZIFF festival can only take place in Zanzibar. The Zanzibar International Film Festival and its rich cultural diversity reflects the essence of Zanzibar itself. Dr. Mhando noted: “Visitors are attracted to the ZIFF for its outdoor setting and to celebrate the unique cultural heritage of Africa and the Dhow countries of the Indian Ocean region and their global Diaspora. They also come to enjoy the charm of Stone Town and the miles of white sandy beaches of Zanzibar and Pemba."

In addition to the Old Fort amphitheater, other ZIFF performances take place in the House of Wonders and Zanzibar’s Museum of History and Culture. There will also be street performances, including story telling; live music and dance; art exhibits; and a range of film and video industry workshops, seminars, screenings, and social events. Stone Town is a place of festivals, from music to movies to dance. It was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site based on the fact that it is a “fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa. It retains its urban fabric and townscape virtually intact and contains many fine buildings that reflect its particular culture, which has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe over more than a millennium.” Retaining much of its 16th century architecture, one can walk winding streets and stroll to the former Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders Museum, the Portuguese Fort and Gardens, and the Turkish Baths. Working plantations outside of the city produce spices including vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Founded in the 16th century as a Portuguese trading post, Stone Town was given to the Sultan of Oman in the 19th century. It became a major center of the East African ivory and slave trade. In 1890, it became the capital of the new British protectorate of Zanzibar, which also included the island of Pemba. In 1963, Zanzibar became an independent republic, with Stone Town remaining its capital. When Zanzibar then merged with Tanganyika in 1964, it became part of today’s democratic United Republic of Tanzania.

ZANZIBAR FESTIVAL TOURS

The official tour operator for ZIFF is Zanzibar Festival Tours. It offers a 10-night program to the festival from July 12-July 22, including expert guides, VIP passes to festival performances, exploration of Stone Town, and some of the best beaches in the world and opportunities for Safaris on mainland Tanzania. For more information on the tours, visit www.zanzibarfestivaltours.com .

ABOUT ZIFF

The Zanzibar International Film Festival is organized annually as a non-profit organization whose goal is to protect and conserve the rich cultural heritage of the African region and its Diaspora, as well as showcasing the works of modern contemporary artists. In no other festival is there such a unique chance to learn about Africa’s cultural past and present in such a relaxed and exotic setting.

ABOUT ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar is part of the East African United Republic of Tanzania. It consists of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the mainland. There are numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as “Zanzibar") and Pemba.

A 15-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, or a two-hour boat ride, Zanzibar’s East coast has beautiful coral reefs and sand bars revealing small pools of starfish, minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming, smooth beaches, and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun. The port city of Stone Town dominates the west coast. The beaches of Mangapwani, where former slave caves are visible at low tide, and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive away. The Chole Island Marine Park is just off Stone Town, as are Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands.

On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for the endangered species that come to breed on the island. Roads to the southeast coast take visitors through the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus monkeys and a number of other primate and small antelope species.

ABOUT TANZANIA

Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism, with approximately 28 percent of the land protected by the government. It boasts 15 national parks and 32 game reserves. It is the home of the tallest mountain in Africa, the legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro; the Serengeti, named in October, 2006, the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and Good Morning America; the world-acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 8th Wonder of the World; Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind; the Selous, the world’s largest game reserve; Ruaha, now the largest national park in Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most important for visitors, the Tanzanian people are warm and friendly, speak English, which together with Kiswahili, are the two official languages, and the country is an oasis of peace and stability with a democratically-elected and stable government.

For more information about ZIFF visit www.ZIFF.org
For Zanzibar Festival Tours visit www.zanzibarfestivaltours.com
For more information on Zanzibar visit www.zanzibartourism.net
For more information about Tanzania visit www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

PHOTO: Ancient amphitheater in Stone Town is one of many outdoor sites at the film festival/Photo from ZIFF

http://www.goatraces.com/ 

15th AUGUST 2009
THE GREEN (on Kenyatta Drive) Masasani - Peninsular
Gates open at 12 noon & close at 5:15pm

The Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races main aim and objective it to raise funds for charities in Tanzania and to bring the community together for a fun, family day out. At the same time the Goat races hope to create a wider awareness in the community that there are those less fortunate than themselves who need our support.

The Goat Races were first introduced to Tanzania in 2001 and over the past 7 years have raised millions of shillings for various charities. [View Supported Charities]

The idea of a Goat Racing event was brought here from Uganda, where in 1993, some members of the business community came up with this novel way of raising money for charity. They introduced the Goat Races modeled (vaguely) on the UK Royal Ascot horse races, except with a rather more practical beastie for East Africa - the racing goat.

SAUTI ZA BUSARA MUSIC FESTIVAL top

Greetings Preparations are going well for the 6th edition of the festival; applications are pouring into the office from all corners of Africa and beyond and the line up for 2009 looks set to be the best ever! Centred for four days in the historic Old Fort in Stone Town, the festival also features “Busara Xtra” fringe events around Zanzibar town, suburbs and rural locations. In all, more than four hundred musicians participate in the main festival, with a continuous daily programme of music from 4pm to 2am. Admission is free for all up until sunset. As ever, thanks for your support and very best wishes Yusuf Mahmoud, Festival Director "With some forty acts to accommodate, Sauti za Busara was a musical buffet whose maitre-d’ refused to let the guests overeat on any particular dish." Arno Kopecky

Final Call for Artists

The final deadline for receiving applications from artists interested in performing at the next Sauti za Busara is 31 August 2008.

The sixth edition of Sauti za Busara [Sounds of Wisdom] music festival takes place in Zanzibar during 12 - 17 February 2009.

The main aim of the Festival is to bring people together in celebration of the wealth and diversity of Swahili music. Every year the festival features more than forty groups, including thirty from East Africa and ten from other parts of Africa and beyond.

This year, the festival is especially keen to encourage more applications from Ethiopia and Horn of Africa, Southern Africa as well as more traditional music groups from East Africa.

Please note that without receiving your application and at least one recent recording, the festival selection committee will not be able to consider your participation when it meets at beginning of September 2008.

You can apply online in English, Kiswahili and French.

Assuming your group is selected and that it is possible to find sponsors for international flights, the festival will cover costs for local travel, accommodation and meals in Zanzibar, a modest performance fee - and a magical and unforgettable experience is guaranteed!

 busara@zanlink.com

ZATI Press Coverage

   An annual event held in March that brings together member and key Government representatives at which ZATI's achievements and future objectives can be presented.

ZANZIBAR, IT’S EXOTICNESS AND RICH CULTURE MAKES IT A TOP ISLAND DESTINATION.

Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI) held its annual dinner party at the Zanzibar Serena Inn which was highly attended by the members of ZATI, business community, government officials and diplomats from Dar-es-Salaam. 

The Guest of honour for the evening was the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investments, Hon Samia Suluhu Hassan. The Minister insisted that Zanzibar still needs to put on extra efforts in order to bring the quality tourism on the isles, more tourists are visiting Zanzibar and the number has increase to 250,000 to last year either visiting for business or holiday.

Further to this, the Minister insisted “To secure its continuity as an island destination, Zanzibar needs to act more on the PPP (Public Private Partnership) looking on methods on improving the infrastructure.

The Chairman of ZATI, Mr. Simai Mohammed Said, commended the government on its efforts of improving the roads of Zanzibar, this has been the biggest achievement for the Zanzibar’s government.

However, the Chairman insisted on more attention that needs to be focused on the airport, as it the place where people arrive and depart.

The Chairman of ZATI also made a special request to the Minister; Stone Town which serves as the main attraction of the tourism in Zanzibar is loosing its charm. Very little attention is paid into it; the street lights at night are not sufficient or not working at all. He pledged to the government to bring back its old history. According to the Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society, Zanzibar was the second place after New York to have street lights.

Last year, the Sub committee of ZATI led by M/s Eleanor Griplas ( Ondoa Taka taka and Clean up Stone Town) got together 900 students from 10 different schools to collect unnecessary litter and rubbish, more then 2500 bags were collected out of stone town.

In addition to this, ZATI awarded recognized three companies who have made a difference to the tourism growth of Zanzibar ; Safari Blue, ZANAIR and Mazsons Hotel.

The award for the new excursion of Zanzibar was presented to M/s Eleanor Griplas for the Safari Blue, a whole day trip on the south west islands of Zanzibar. The award was presented by the Minister Suluhu for her outstanding achievement of her long vision of adding a new excursion to the tourism industry.

The Managing Director of ZANAIR, Mr. Carl Salsbury was presented the trophy for his achievement of improving the Isles air transport. ZANAIR has recently added FOKKER 28 in its fleet which makes it the number 1 air charter company in Tanzania.

Mr Nassor Mazrui, the Managing Director of Mazson’s Hotel was presented the trophy by the Mayor of Zanzibar for his long efforts of improving the industry. Mr Mazrui owned the 1st air charter of Zanzibar, he went on to open the 1st health clinic to cater for tourists, and he then later became the President of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Trade. He currently owns a boutique hotel in the heart of Stone Town.

The evening ended up with a raffle, lucky draw and an auction. App $5000 dollars was raised for ZATI’s projects.

Mr James Lugembe of Travel Mate Dar-es-Saalam, surprised the chief guest when he donated $1000 for street lights of Stone Town, he was supported by Mr Jafferji of Zanzibar Gallery who later donated $500 for the same course.

ZATI, main objective is to unite investors in the tourism Industry and cooperate with the government in the formulation of strategies in promotion of tourism, thus acting as a link between the members and the government on matter of socio-economic policies.

Simai Mohammed Said
Chairman
ZANZIBAR ASSOCIATION OF TOURISM INVESTORS
www.zati.org
2007

This year's ZIFF theme is 'Cultural Crossowords'  - and Zanzibar could not be a better symbol of the meetings of cultures.  ZIFF hopes that the confluences of the oceans that brought the dhows to this coast of Africa will bring forth new energies to a world in need of synergies of cultures.

 The festival opens n July 11th in Zanzibar and features a wide array of programming, with 4 world premiers confirmed for the 10 day event and the screening of 50 films from an impressive collection of feature films, short films and documentaries.

 There will be film workshops as well as visual arts and exhibitions,  panoramas on village, women and children, music and performing arts, a literary forum, the difficult doalogue talk show. 

The Karibu 2007 Travel and Tourism Fair

June 8th, 9th and 10th in Arusha

One-Stop Shopping for Tanzanian Destinations!

Karibu is a tourism industry centre with over 200 exhibitors to choose from. This year’s Fair will be fully stocked with tourism service providers, air travel agents and operators and new and exciting destinations including cozy, affordable and luxurious high-end hotels, lodges and camps in stunning settings along with a wide assortment of sports and activities to suit the tastes and budgets of your clients. Shop around and network in Karibu’s friendly, casual atmosphere. Meet and talk with top East African tourism professionals who can assist you with on-the-spot planning, scheduling and bookings.

Please join us in June and Be A Part of It!

Contact www.karibuevents.org for more information

FITUR MADRID January 28th to February 1st 2009

ITB BERLIN March 11th to 15th 2009

INDABA DURBAN SA May 9th to 12th 2009

WTM London 2009 - To be Advised.

The Charity Ngalawa race will start at 2.PM. Aug. 10th 2008 at Zanzibar Serena Inn beachfront

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET - LONDON, UK - NOVEMBER 10-13 2008

VAKANTIEBEURS, UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS - HANUARY 13 2009

FITUR - MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 28-FEBRUARY 2 2009

BIT - MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19-22 2009

ITB - BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 11-15 2009

Partnering for sustainable tourism

PArtnering with ZATI, with Tanzania National Parks and the Tanzania Tourist Board, ZIFF sees a role in becoming a catalyst for the emerging cultural and tourism industry locally by holding a tourism conference in Zanzibar 2^nd -3^rd July 2009.

ZIFF has invited 3 top international tourism stakeholders to Tanzania and to meet and network with local tourism stakeholders. The international guests will meet over 50 local tourism stakeholders including Hoteliers, Airlines, Tour operators, Tourist boards. This is intended to establish links and create the international tourism awareness especially during the world economic crisis. Local and central Governments will be given the opportunity to highlight their tourist potential to an international audience.

A world class tourism forum where key international and local stakeholders will meet to enhance the image of Tanzania as one of the major tourist destinations to invest in while ensuring the sustainability of our environment and culture. The ZIFF Tourism Forum will give local operators opportunity to network and market the diversity and beauty of Tanzania. Currently the industry’s contribution to development is limited due to lack of capital accumulation, strict collateral requirements for credits, and shortcomings in entrepreneurship and managerial capacities as well as lack of access to national and international markets.

Provide a critical assessment of the current state and future of the Tanzania Tourism business relationships,

ZIFF will organize marketplace and exhibition for local stakeholders to showcase local fashion, traditional industries and historical and ecological features. To strengthen the international interest in Tanzania, the exhibition will also highlight the array of local attractions (i.e Slave Route, National Parks, Mt Kilimanjaro, Stone town, Bagamoyo, Ngorongoro Crater and etc). ZIFF will compile the conclusions of the meeting in a document and make it available to all the Stakeholders.

WTM World Responsible Tourism Programme

WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, the only global day of action of its kind, is being supported by the UNWTO and leading industry associations. The day is vital – for business, for profitability and for our planet. It means taking care of a world that we seek to promote, preserving our heritage and cultures and taking into account the views and needs of local communities. WTM WRTD 2008 was a huge success attracting an impressive 1,565 participants to the challenging and thought provoking programme. Click here to read more. Travel and tourism companies and organisations in the world are under increasing pressure to work more responsibly. WTM World Responsible Tourism Day is your chance to get involved and debate the issues.

World Responsible Tourism Day   Wednesday 11 November 2009 offers a programme designed to challenge, provoke and educate. View programme Register to attend

Get involved with WTM WRTD 2009   Despite the amazing work being carried out around the globe, there is still a great deal to be done. Why get involved Apply to use logo   WRTD objectives Case studies

WTM WRTD Conference   The conference on 12 November at WTM will feature a line-up of some of the world’s leading responsible tourism experts. More information Register your interest

                 Seminar on Renewable Energy Options for Zanzibar held 29/09/09

Zeco and the Government representative who were at the Seminar implied that locally produced Electricity in Zanzibar is becoming imperative. Most expressed opinion from delegates agreed with this objective.

Power demand is increasing at 7.5% annually. Present consumption is about 43MW. The present cable capacity is 45MW. Tanesco a few months back had issued a press release stating power will be in deficit until 2014.

The following options for Zanzibar were proposed by Nestor representative Mr.Hellstrome and Mr.Soderberg. The options are at different level of development and use in the developed economies

1 Bio Fuels/ Bio Mass.

These are well proven technologies. Bio fuels are derived from converting agricultural matter into gaseous (Methane) or liquid (Diesel) Fuels. These fuels are then burnt to produce energy which by mechanical means (turbines or reciprocating engines) produces electricity

Advantages .Readily available material and proven simple technologies. Secondary environmental advantages can also be obtained. For example putting to use house hold and other waste which are presently deposited in waste dumps

Disadvantages High carbon footprint.  Directly increase CO2 emissions. Agricultural land is used to produce energy instead of food

Note it is possible to produce both food and energy using Bio Mass. For example by burning pellets made from by product of food production. Technologies are being developed for CO2 capture and storage

2 Solar Energy:

Sunlight is converted into DC Electricity. This Electricity charges or is stored in Batteries. The Battery power using invertors is turned into AC electricity

Advantages: Sunlight is free. Direct Carbon foot print is low. Technology largely in place (for example a 50MW plant in Portugal)

Disadvantages: Large space is needed. Capital cost is high.

3 Wind Energy.

Wind either on shore or offshore is used to drive machinery which produces energy which in turns produce electricity

Advantages: The energy source (wind) is free. The technology is proven and continues to be improved

Disadvantages: High manufacturing and installation (for example require heavy lift equipment) costs. Power is intermittent requiring storage at peak production adding to initial costs

4 Wave and Current/Tidal:

Energy is generated by the movement of waves in the case of wave power or the movement of water during tide changes or by current movement which occurs because of temperature changes. The energy generated is then turned into Electricity.

To generate electricity by wave or below surface current at the present time remain experimental. There are barrages producing power due to tide movements. A proven method

Advantages: The energy source is free. One could envisage this being done on the East Coast

Disadvantages: Maintenance require more substantial infra structure support.

Which way foreward.

Which way foreword depends on (1) policy makers i.e. the Government decision to choose the right investment policies and (2) Investors choice after feasibility studies have been carried out.

The notes made above are a brief summary of what we understood was said by representative of ZATI.

The following points were raised specifically by ZATI

1 Zanzibar carbon foot print is likely to be relatively low. Could Zanzibar get funding towards either feasibility studies or actual installation costs of renewable energy plants from carbon credit. An option if the government is the investor?

2 Could the readily available by product of bananas and other foods such as sugar cane which grow easily and fast be used as Bio mass

Both Mr. Soderberg and Hellestrome conceded these were possibilities but requires further research.  

ZANZIBAR LOOKS AT TOURISM FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

The Zanzibar Association of Tour Investors and Operators came together earlier in the week under the auspices of Dutch NGO “SNV,” UK’s Voluntary Services Overseas and the Norwegian Embassy, to discuss how tourism could become more beneficial to the people and grass roots of Zanzibar. Opinions were wide ranging, but there was consensus that the poorest and those most in need saw little benefit from tourism operations. Zanzibar achieves almost half of its economic output through tourism activities and linkages between the private sector and civil society were mentioned as the most desirable way forward to percolate benefits down the ranks of society. Job creation and economic empowerment through cooperative initiatives and cottage industries were also mentioned as a roadmap to achieve the objectives of the seminar, which was titled, “Tourism – More Value for Zanzibar.”

The Value Chain Analysis which is produced as a result of this event wil be published at teh end of October. 

5^th October 2009: ZATI Meeting – Alternative Energy for Hotels

Hotels represented at this seminar:

236 Hurumzi

The Residence

Palm Beach Inn

Mnarani Beach Cottages

Hakuna Matata

Seasons Lodge

Dolphin View

Breezes

Palms

Chumbe Island

Kichanga Lodge

Abuso Inn

Flame Tree Cottages

Energy Summary:

Power is energy expressed as a unit of time – power x time = energy

Electrical power is expressed as KW MW GW TW

Most energy comes from the sun – except nuclear and thermal – underground

Sustainability is economic, ecologic and social.

Solar energy to the earth = 1kw /m3

Storage of energy – hydropower, batteries, bioenergy, fuel cells.

Options Considered:

1. Wind –Horizontal nad vertial wind power – different technologies. 

Solar – photovoltaic, stirling engine, solar heat.

2. Bioenergy – biowaste.  Organic waste or biomass (agricultural) is collected producing methane gas. Can be used as fuel, or piped back into kitchen for use in cooking as an LPG susbstitute.

Action on the group to set up a pilot in a small scale hotel to set up and monitor the practical application.

3. Photo-voltaic – offgrid, standalone, grid connected.

Needed for participating hotels:  quotes, comparisons, prices, delivery, supplies, installation, after-sales service.  Also will look into carbon credit trading for Zanzibar.

PRESS RELEASE from Zanzibar – 26-01-2010

The tourism industry is no doubt aware that Zanzibar has not been supplied with mains electricity power since before Christmas.  This is due to a fault on the power cable line between the island of Zanzibar and the mainland, which is being rectified, with normal power expected to resume mid February

In the meantime we would like to assure operators and visitors to Zanzibar that the island is well equipped to deal with this temporary situation as power outages are commonplace and generator backup is provided in all hotels and resorts.   Therefore all services including tourism, communication and transportation continue to function with no significant or noticeable disruption.  

In addition to this, ZATI would like to assure all visitors heading to Zanzibar for Sauti za Busara Music Festival commencing 11th of February that Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, and Zanzibar Association Tourism Investors, are both giving a clear message that Zanzibar is open for “business as usual”

We are confident that Zanzibar is safe for visitors. The longer the power outage has gone on, the more Zanzibaris have been getting back to “business as usual”. All hotels, restaurants and businesses in Zanzibar Town are open and many streets have lighting. Local people are preferring to go out in the evenings – especially in the area of night food market at Forodhani Gardens . All indications are that our local and perhaps regional audiences shall be greater than ever.  

The island of Zanzibar welcomes visitors and continues to be the same peaceful and secure environment that we are proud to be part of.  Thank you for continuing to support us.  We will issue an update as soon as mains power is back on line.

WEEKEND BONANZA

IN AID OF THE MENTAL HOSPITAL OF ZANZIBAR

2009

AUG.7^TH: FASHION SHOW, BY MUSTAFA HASSANALI & KANGA KABISA ZANZIBAR HOTEL ( STONE TOWN )

8 PM

10,000 TSH PER PERSON

20,000 TSH VIP TICKETS PER PERSON

Tickets now available

AUG 8^TH: BOLLYWOOD NIGHT WITH DJ SJARAN RAMJI, ZANZIBAR BEACH RESORT

 (7 MIN. OFF STONE TOWN )

8 PM

10,000 TSH PER PERSON

Tickets only at the door

Don't forget your bikini under the saree!

PRESS RELEASE from Zanzibar – 26-01-2010

The tourism industry is no doubt aware that Zanzibar has not been supplied with mains electricity power since before Christmas.  This is due to a fault on the power cable line between the island of Zanzibar and the mainland, which is being rectified, with normal power expected to resume mid February

In the meantime we would like to assure operators and visitors to Zanzibar that the island is well equipped to deal with this temporary situation as power outages are commonplace and generator backup is provided in all hotels and resorts.   Therefore all services including tourism, communication and transportation continue to function with no significant or noticeable disruption.  

In addition to this, ZATI would like to assure all visitors heading to Zanzibar for Sauti za Busara Music Festival commencing 11th of February that Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, and Zanzibar Association Tourism Investors, are both giving a clear message that Zanzibar is open for “business as usual”

We are confident that Zanzibar is safe for visitors. The longer the power outage has gone on, the more Zanzibaris have been getting back to “business as usual”. All hotels, restaurants and businesses in Zanzibar Town are open and many streets have lighting. Local people are preferring to go out in the evenings – especially in the area of night food market at Forodhani Gardens . All indications are that our local and perhaps regional audiences shall be greater than ever.  

The island of Zanzibar welcomes visitors and continues to be the same peaceful and secure environment that we are proud to be part of.  Thank you for continuing to support us.  We will issue an update as soon as mains power is back on line.