ZATI Chairman Address for 2012

Chairman of ZATI New Year Greeting:

As I enter into my second year of Chairman of ZATI I would like to thank all those from both the Private and Public sectors in Zanzibar for all the assistance, advice, information and co-operation that we have received in the last 12 months which has helped up to manage the tourism private sector in Zanzibar. May 2012 bring all we hope for.

The last year has had challenges, undoubtably – and we remain strong in our advocacy subjects of security, utilities, waste collection, improving the business climate and encouraging more tourism training. Myself, our Director and our Executive Board have had countless meetings on all those subjects, both within our roles as members of the Tourism Public/Private Dialogue and the Zanzibar Business Council, and with individual and collective Government Ministers and members of the House of Representatives.

We have received notification from the Commission for Tourism yesterday that the tourism arrival figures for 2011 have reached an all time high for the history of tourism in Zanzibar, with every month exceeding any prior month of any year. Last year 175,000 tourists arrived directly from overseas, and these numbers can be boosted by a further 25% to account for arrivals from the Tanzania mainland on a two-centre “bush and beach” holiday, and domestic arrivals via the Zanzibar seaport, neither of which are currently measured.  So we can confidently say that we have hosted as many as 220,000 tourists to our islands in 2011.

This is good news for Zanzibar – it shows our industry is flourishing and growing – and we congratulate the Ministry and all investors, employees and business owners in our industry who have all worked so hard to achieve this excellent result for the islands.  But it also means that the subjects of safety, security, infrstructure and training also need to be stepped up to be able to keep pace with the growth of tourism – and therefore, as tourism is our leading industry, the growth of the economy of Zanzibar, and we will continue to be on the forefront of these subjects.

And so to 2012 – We have already started the year strongly with security meetings in 2 areas of the island to ensure that tourists are safe here. With the main ZATI social event of the year looming next month, and to add to the auspicious attendance of the two Prime Ministers at our last Dinner Party and AGM, we have started VIP arrangements for the ZATI dinner party which will take place at the Zanzibar Beach Resort on Saturday 25th February.

We are also embarking on a closer relationship with the Zanzibar Investment Promotional Agency, to ensure that the type of investments that we are attracting in Zanzibar are in line with both the Commission for Tourism Policy and the needs of the marketplace, now and in the future, and pay adequate attention to environmental issues and cultural sensitivity.

In addition, ZATI is championing the Responsible Tourism Tanzania standards – see www.rttz.org – and shortly all hotels will have the opportunity to be audited and ancouraged to attain the first level of this important standard that is recognised by leading international tour operators, and will help us to welcome those tourists who appreciate sustainable and responsible tourism in Zanzibar.

Following on from our higher marketing profile last year, ZATI will continue to represent Zanzibar as a desination at the main overseas trade fairs, bringing the new ZATI brochure to South Africa, Berlin, and London, and is talking with the Tanzanian Tourist Board to gain a stronger representation in the country’s marketing strategy to enhance the wider Tanzanian tourism product and attract more people to the country to experience its natural beauty and diversity.

In closing these few remarks, I would like to urge all memebrs to be more involved in their local ZATI regional branches – in Stone Town, the Nungwi peninsular, the North-East, and the South-East, and in Pemba. As you all know, challenges and isues differ from one area of the islands to another, so you have the best knowledge of what is going on in your areas. I would like to assure you all that ZATI is gaiining strength year on year, and intends to continue to play its part to represent the needs and interests of the tourism industry in a respectful and effective partnership with the Revolutionalry Government of Zanzibar.

With Kind Regards for a successful 2012 – to all of us in Zanzibar concernd with our tourism industry, to our partners and agents who send us our tourists – and to our guests past, present and future who enjoy our culture, people, climate, beaches and warm hospitality.

Abdulsamad Saeed.