Zanzibar — LIKE in many countries across the world, agriculture has
been backbone of Zanzibar's economy for many years. Although it is small
scale farming, agriculture has been basic occupation for majority
people with over 70 per cent of population relying on agriculture and
fishing for its livelihood.
The main farm production has been cloves, spices and fruits. Farmers take care of entire process of agriculture like sowing seeds, weeding, harvesting crops, and watering, while government helps to provide inputs including required knowledge, tilling of the land by tractors, provision of seedlings, fertilisers, and better prices after harvest.
Under the motto 'Mapinduzi ya Kilimo (revolution in farming)' introduced after the formation of Dr Ali Mohamed Shein's Government of National Unity (GNU) it has been taking several steps to improve agriculture, including providing education to farmers on how to increase productivity.
However, despite government promoting farming, some people particularly the youths are not giving agriculture due treatment. People fail to understand the importance of this sector because of slow economic achievement.
Very few youths select this field as career or occupation. But Tourism is another main industry in Zanzibar. Having realised the importance of tourism to the economy, the Islands' Government has been working hard to further promote tourism to attract tourists from around the world.
The government has designated tourism as a priority sector of the economy; contributing twenty seven per cent to the Gross Domestic Product and providing directly 20,000-40,000 jobs.
It is estimated that indirect employment is between 60,000 and 100,000 people in the industry, they include food suppliers (and fish mongers), traders selling tourists items, and taxi drivers.
Since tourism accounts for 80 per cent of the foreign currency, many leaders and members of the business community describe the sector as the backbone of the future economic growth and development of the islands.
The Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI) recently had a colourful annual dinner held at the Zanzibar Beach Resort, where the ZATI chairperson said; "Tourism is now the leading industry. It is the backbone of the economy.
So, it really is a time for tourism for all... " ZATI chairperson Mr Abdulsamad Ahmed Said informed the gathering that tourism requires knowledge and awareness -- that would in turn bring positive change.
He said: "I believe that Zanzibar can strive to be the destination that we want it to be." The event was officiated by German Ambassador, H.E. Egon Kochanke as guest of honour.
He said Zanzibar has a bright future should the tourism industry be well managed with workable planning. Minister for Information, Tourism, Culture, and Sports Mr Said Ali Mbarouk, Urban West Regional Commissioner Mr Abdalla Mwinyi Khamis, Commissioner of Police- Zanzibar Mr Hamdani Omar, ZATI Executive Board, and ZATI members were also at the function.
ZATI director & advocacy officer, Ms Pamela Matthews, and administration assistant Ms Farida Nassor were also at the function where Mr Said mentioned several key areas aimed at improving tourism in the country.
The areas include: dealing with issues surrounding liquor licences, the Policing, safety & security placed high on our agenda by working closely with consultants, Ministers, Police in order to work towards improvements of security in the islands.
"Following up on concerns over security at the airport; Taxation and in particular the ongoing issue of the VAT Amendment; Waste management issues and monopolies and issues with regional administration; and the Zanzibar Commission of Tourism (ZCT) Regulations review," the ZATI chairperson said.
He also mentioned other subjects being dealt with by his office to build tourism as Lobbying Government at Parliamentary sessions for changes; working closely with the Ministry of Health on Ebola & sharing of information; and Conservation, by taking part in the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project designed to improve the management of fisheries and promote sustainable practices.
Mr Abdulsamad Ahmed Said, emphasized on having a good investment environment, and that success of his private sector organisation (ZATI) is very much dependent on the relationships with the Public Sector, to support the growing industry to thrive and achieve its potential for the people and the economy of Zanzibar.
He said, "So let's work together to face and resolve the challenges that we are all facing. We are stronger together. More effective together, we must encourage more and more public private partnerships as this is what will enable us to make the changes that we all wish for."
According to the Zanzibar minister responsible for tourism development, Mr Mbarouk, Zanzibar needs to improve its attraction sights like culture, beaches, diving, forests, security, and the historical sights. He said that visitor arrivals have been increasing to Destination Zanzibar, with annual average visits of 150,000 in the past recent years.
The minister said that the increase represents visitors from across Europe and US. The minister emphasized on workable advertisements, organized tours, peace and having no worry of insecurity, and involving everybody in the campaign to promote tourism.
For more information on travel to Zanzibar and or a Safari Holiday please follow the links or call: 01227 753181
The main farm production has been cloves, spices and fruits. Farmers take care of entire process of agriculture like sowing seeds, weeding, harvesting crops, and watering, while government helps to provide inputs including required knowledge, tilling of the land by tractors, provision of seedlings, fertilisers, and better prices after harvest.
Under the motto 'Mapinduzi ya Kilimo (revolution in farming)' introduced after the formation of Dr Ali Mohamed Shein's Government of National Unity (GNU) it has been taking several steps to improve agriculture, including providing education to farmers on how to increase productivity.
However, despite government promoting farming, some people particularly the youths are not giving agriculture due treatment. People fail to understand the importance of this sector because of slow economic achievement.
Very few youths select this field as career or occupation. But Tourism is another main industry in Zanzibar. Having realised the importance of tourism to the economy, the Islands' Government has been working hard to further promote tourism to attract tourists from around the world.
The government has designated tourism as a priority sector of the economy; contributing twenty seven per cent to the Gross Domestic Product and providing directly 20,000-40,000 jobs.
It is estimated that indirect employment is between 60,000 and 100,000 people in the industry, they include food suppliers (and fish mongers), traders selling tourists items, and taxi drivers.
Since tourism accounts for 80 per cent of the foreign currency, many leaders and members of the business community describe the sector as the backbone of the future economic growth and development of the islands.
The Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI) recently had a colourful annual dinner held at the Zanzibar Beach Resort, where the ZATI chairperson said; "Tourism is now the leading industry. It is the backbone of the economy.
So, it really is a time for tourism for all... " ZATI chairperson Mr Abdulsamad Ahmed Said informed the gathering that tourism requires knowledge and awareness -- that would in turn bring positive change.
He said: "I believe that Zanzibar can strive to be the destination that we want it to be." The event was officiated by German Ambassador, H.E. Egon Kochanke as guest of honour.
He said Zanzibar has a bright future should the tourism industry be well managed with workable planning. Minister for Information, Tourism, Culture, and Sports Mr Said Ali Mbarouk, Urban West Regional Commissioner Mr Abdalla Mwinyi Khamis, Commissioner of Police- Zanzibar Mr Hamdani Omar, ZATI Executive Board, and ZATI members were also at the function.
ZATI director & advocacy officer, Ms Pamela Matthews, and administration assistant Ms Farida Nassor were also at the function where Mr Said mentioned several key areas aimed at improving tourism in the country.
The areas include: dealing with issues surrounding liquor licences, the Policing, safety & security placed high on our agenda by working closely with consultants, Ministers, Police in order to work towards improvements of security in the islands.
"Following up on concerns over security at the airport; Taxation and in particular the ongoing issue of the VAT Amendment; Waste management issues and monopolies and issues with regional administration; and the Zanzibar Commission of Tourism (ZCT) Regulations review," the ZATI chairperson said.
He also mentioned other subjects being dealt with by his office to build tourism as Lobbying Government at Parliamentary sessions for changes; working closely with the Ministry of Health on Ebola & sharing of information; and Conservation, by taking part in the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project designed to improve the management of fisheries and promote sustainable practices.
Mr Abdulsamad Ahmed Said, emphasized on having a good investment environment, and that success of his private sector organisation (ZATI) is very much dependent on the relationships with the Public Sector, to support the growing industry to thrive and achieve its potential for the people and the economy of Zanzibar.
He said, "So let's work together to face and resolve the challenges that we are all facing. We are stronger together. More effective together, we must encourage more and more public private partnerships as this is what will enable us to make the changes that we all wish for."
According to the Zanzibar minister responsible for tourism development, Mr Mbarouk, Zanzibar needs to improve its attraction sights like culture, beaches, diving, forests, security, and the historical sights. He said that visitor arrivals have been increasing to Destination Zanzibar, with annual average visits of 150,000 in the past recent years.
The minister said that the increase represents visitors from across Europe and US. The minister emphasized on workable advertisements, organized tours, peace and having no worry of insecurity, and involving everybody in the campaign to promote tourism.
For more information on travel to Zanzibar and or a Safari Holiday please follow the links or call: 01227 753181
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