Zanzibar Tourism Stats 2026: The Data Driving Real Estate Growth
Zanzibar has long attracted travellers with its white sand beaches, warm waters, and rich culture. Today, that appeal is matched by scale, confidence, and measurable growth. Tourism is expanding steadily, supported by airport upgrades, rising international airlift, and the commitment of leading global hospitality brands.
For real estate investors, this creates an exciting opportunity. Tourism drives rental demand, occupancy, nightly rates, and long-term capital growth. With clear, up-to-date data now available, investors can assess Zanzibar’s position with greater confidence and see how luxury developments are aligned with this upward trajectory.
This article brings together the latest 2026 tourism statistics, official government figures, and confirmed industry developments to provide a clear view of Zanzibar’s momentum - and why luxury real estate opportunities such as Sandbank Villas in Nungwi are well placed to benefit as the market continues to boom.
Aerial shot of Zanzibar’s iconic sandbanks
Key Zanzibar Tourism Stats at a Glance
917,167 international visitors in 2025, up 25% year-on-year (Source: The Citizen)
Tourism earnings reached USD 997.8 million in 2024, up 10% from 2023
(Source: NBS Exit Survey)Europe accounts for 65% of international arrivals, led by Italy, France, and Germany (Source: OCGS)
Average length of stay: 7–8 nights, supporting strong occupancy (Source: NBS Exit Survey)
Four Seasons, Anantara, and Marriott (Le Méridien) have confirmed new resorts for 2026–2028 (Sources: Four Seasons, Minor Hotels, Marriot)
For a broader perspective on why global buyers are choosing the island, read our guide on 6 Reasons to Invest in Zanzibar Real Estate.
Arrival Growth: Consistent, Measured, and Sustained
Zanzibar’s tourism growth is continuing to rise with official statistics showing steady year-on-year expansion, building on a higher base each year.
In 2025, Zanzibar recorded 917,167 international arrivals, compared to 736,755 in 2024, a 25% increase year-on-year. This follows growth from 638,498 arrivals in 2023, meaning visitor numbers have risen by more than 43% in two years.
Monthly data reinforces this picture. Peak months such as August (105,506 visitors) and January (100,216 visitors) are up 19% compared to a year before showing strong seasonal demand and growth, while traditionally quieter months continue to post meaningful volumes rather than sharp drop-offs.
For investors, this matters because steady demand creates confidence. Real estate investments perform best when demand is repeatable and consistent across the year, rather than relying on one exceptional month.
For a deeper look at how visitor growth is shaping property demand, see our latest analysis of the Zanzibar real estate market in 2026.
Who Is Visiting Zanzibar - And Why That Matters for Real Estate
The profile of Zanzibar’s visitor base is especially relevant for luxury real estate.
In 2025:
65.2% of visitors came from Europe
Italy was the largest single source market, followed by France and Germany (Source: OCGS)
European leisure travellers tend to stay longer, travel as couples or families, and value space, privacy, and service - all characteristics that favor luxury accommodation such as villas over standard hotel rooms.
Purpose-of-visit data reinforces this alignment. In 2025, over 99% of international visitors came for holidays and leisure.
Zanzibar is a leisure-led destination chosen for rest, experience, and quality of stay - the exact conditions under which professionally managed luxury accommodation, such as Sandbank Villas, perform best.
To understand why Nungwi continues to attract long-stay leisure travellers, explore more about the destination and lifestyle at Sandbank Villas.
Length of Stay and Spending Power
Length of stay is one of the clearest indicators of revenue potential for accommodation assets.
Based on recent reports, tourist stays in Zanzibar are increasing. The 2024 International Visitors’ Exit Survey found the average stay was seven nights. Further, OCGS data and reports from late 2025 confirm this trend, with the average intended length of stay reaching eight nights by the end of 2025.
Longer stays reduce turnover costs and increase net revenue per booking - a meaningful advantage for luxury accommodation with higher nightly rates and full-service management.
Zanzibar also generated USD 997.8 million in tourism earnings in 2024, up 10% year-on-year, despite global cost pressures.
Growth is supported by visitors who are staying longer and contributing more to the local economy, supporting higher-quality accommodation and services.
Access and Airlift: A Critical Enabler of Growth
Reliable access underpins every successful tourism market. In Zanzibar, international connectivity has expanded steadily, strengthening the island’s position as a long-haul leisure destination.
Today, Zanzibar is served by more than 34 direct international routes, linking the island with major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These connections support consistent inbound travel and widen exposure to high-value source markets.
Passenger traffic at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport has grown from under one million in 2020 to approximately 2.4 million by 2025. Ongoing terminal upgrades, alongside plans for a new international airport in Pemba, reflect sustained investment in infrastructure aligned with tourism growth.
For investors, this level of international connectivity supports Zanizbar’s growing demand. Improved airlift enables destinations such as Nungwi, where Sandbank Villas is located, to attract travellers seeking both ease of arrival and a refined beachfront experience.
Serengeti Safari
Safari-to-Sea Travel and Premium Demand
Zanzibar’s role within Tanzania’s wider tourism ecosystem is a key advantage.
Mainland Tanzania welcomed over 2.14 million international visitors in 2024, generating USD 3.9 billion in tourism earnings. A significant share of high-end safari travellers now extend their trips with a beach stay in Zanzibar.
These travellers tend to arrive with established budgets, expectations of service, and a preference for space and privacy. Luxury villas with concierge, dining, wellness, and managed experiences are well aligned with this demand.
Nungwi, on Zanzibar’s northern tip, is particularly well positioned due to its calm waters, year-round swimming conditions, and proximity to established hospitality infrastructure.
Global Hospitality Brands Signal Long-Term Confidence
Global hospitality brands tend to commit capital early, well before destinations reach full maturity. In Zanzibar, several of the world’s most established luxury operators have confirmed long-term projects on the island.
Recent announcements include:
Four Seasons, with a resort and private residences in development
Anantara (Minor Hotels), expanding its Indian Ocean portfolio
Marriott International, bringing Le Méridien to Zanzibar
Each of these projects reflects extensive planning, long development timelines, and significant investment. Their arrival highlights growing confidence in Zanzibar as a destination capable of supporting sustained, high-end tourism.
In comparable island markets, this stage of brand entry has often aligned with rising asset values and increased international investor interest, particularly in well-located beachfront developments.
What the Data Suggests for Investors
Taken together, the data points to a market with:
Expanding international demand
Long average stays
Rising tourism earnings
Improving access
Institutional validation
For real estate investors, this supports a case for measured entry into real estate assets, particularly in established locations such as Nungwi where natural advantages like its pristine white beaches are hard to replicate.
For a comparative view of Zanzibar against other global destinations, read our guide on investing in Zanzibar vs. other markets.
Exploring Opportunities at Sandbank Villas
View from the living room of the Oceanview Villas at Sandbank
Sandbank Villas offers a rare opportunity to own within a professionally managed, resort-led development on one of Zanzibar’s most sought-after beaches. Located in Nungwi, the project is designed to benefit directly from the island’s growing tourism market while offering owners a considered balance of lifestyle and performance.
To explore further, you can:
Discover the investment opportunity, including ownership structures and long-term potential.
Learn how our rental and management model works in more detail through our overview of the Rental Pool Programme.
Explore the luxury villas and resort experience, including design, amenities, and location.
If you would like to speak directly with our team, you are welcome to get in touch and book a call.