Zanzibar’s Tourism Surge: A Market Gaining Global Attention
Zanzibar has always been a place of natural wonder – a coastline framed by white sand and turquoise water, rich with culture and soul. But now, the island is stepping into a new chapter. International arrivals are climbing at record pace, global hospitality brands are investing heavily, and the synergy between Tanzania’s world-renowned safari circuit and Zanzibar’s coastline is creating a powerful draw for high-end travellers. For luxury real estate investors, this momentum signals a market with strong fundamentals, rising demand, and room for significant growth.
Aerial shot of Zanzibar’s iconic sandbanks
Destination on the Rise – Rapidly
Zanzibar welcomed 106,108 international visitors in July 2025 — its busiest month on record — bringing year-to-date arrivals to 476,875. That’s a year-on-year increase of over 55%, and a staggering 106% rise in just two years.June alone saw 30.9% year‑on‑year growth, with 62% of arrivals coming from Europe, a clear signal of sustained, high-value demand. The average stay length is seven nights, showing that travellers are committing to long itineraries that boost occupancy and spending across the island. Tanzania as a whole welcomed 5.4 million tourists in 2024, showing significant headroom for Zanzibar to capture a greater share of a rapidly expanding market.
Safari-to-Sea Travel Drives Premium Demand
Luxury tourism in Tanzania is booming, with visitor growth of 11% in Serengeti and 13.4% in Kilimanjaro in 2024. Increasingly, these luxury travellers finish their journey on Zanzibar’s beaches, creating a high-value safari-to-sea circuit that’s fuelling demand for exclusive villas and five-star stays – particularly in destinations like Nungwi, home to Zanzibar’s finest beaches.
Serengeti Safari
Emerging vs. Established Markets
While Zanzibar’s visitor numbers accelerate, prime beachfront real estate remains undervalued, with prices still significantly lower than Mauritius, Seychelles, or Bali. This disparity presents a rare early-entry opportunity for buyers looking to secure luxury property ahead of expected value growth as Zanzibar matures into a top-tier Indian Ocean destination.
View from the living room of the Oceanview Villas at Sandbank
Global Confidence in Zanzibar
Four Seasons, Minor Hotels (Anantara), and Marriott’s Le Méridien have all announced new luxury resorts on the island, with openings slated from 2026–2028. Most recently, Jumeirah opened a $50,000-per-night private island — one of the most exclusive hospitality offerings in the Indian Ocean. When brands of this calibre commit hundreds of millions of dollars to a destination, it validates the long-term investment case for private buyers entering Zanzibar’s property market now.
Joining the Right Circle at the Right Time
Developments like Sandbank Villas sit at the forefront of Zanzibar’s transformation – combining architect-designed residences, five-star resort amenities, and professional rental management to ensure homes perform as the market continues to grow. Our community of owners — seasoned investors from Europe, the UAE, North America, and beyond – are securing prime positions on one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, knowing this market is just beginning its ascent.
