BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER
3rd December 2013
Isles branded 'as more than sun, sand and sea lovers' hub
The drive was inaugurated last week in Stone Town, Zanzibar during a forum that was endorsed by the Isles Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Sports of Zanzibar as well as the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT).
To begin with, the drive has started with marketing Destination Zanzibar to the Gulf States, a region that has not been adequately tapped into in the past, noted a press statement issued by Grassroots Traveller on Sunday.
Hafsa Mbamba, founder of Grassroots Traveller explained that the event offered an opportunity for the local tourism industry from both the private and public sectors, to meet with reputable and travel related media.
“The forum purposely catered for local tourism stakeholders, either directly or indirectly involved in the industry, to network and showcase their products and services. Destination Zanzibar functions to help businesses thrive in a competitive tourism market by offering strategic trade solutions,” Mbamba said.
When asked why they would go to such length, she said: “Zanzibar has so much more to offer than beaches - we can offer from authentic, off the beaten track to eco-friendly experiences that ‘Destination Zanzibar’ makes visible for the visitors to explore! With the recent amended Tourism Policy, now focusing on “Tourism for All”, we want to cater for both the host and the visitors.”
Zanzibar is globally known as an idyllic beach destination. It is a paradise for the ocean lovers and for those looking to enjoy the tropical weather. In fact, Zanzibar is also renowned for various other reasons, trade, history, culture and more, says Mbamba.
Among invited guests at the forum were the founders of Sustainable East Africa, who highlighted how “Sustainable Zanzibar” is possible and currently in action.
Nell Hamilton emphasised how her organisation works closely with the private sector and local NGOs, who are either directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry. The main goal for Sustainable East Africa is to be able to facilitate others in achieving more holistic results, enabling constructive frameworks and empowering those in need of these services. The formula is simple, exchanging and sharing of knowledge in creating sustainable ideas, she said.
Mbamba added that the forum works as a stepping-stone to penetrating new markets, targeting the Gulf region, specifically.
There are strategic reasons and benefits to enter this market, she said.
“Why we have chosen the Gulf is simply because it hasn’t been tapped into in terms of promoting Zanzibar as a tourist destination,” Mbamba said.
She added: “It’s an area that already has great potential with a diversified market and makes it an ideal potential market. By entering the Gulf market, it would ideally boost the local tourism industry.”
‘Destination Zanzibar’ aims to re-invent Zanzibar and make it a Sustainable Tourism friendly destination through events and experiences. People tend to catch things much quicker through personal experiences, Mbamba said.
“For us to ensure that we have a more holistic industry we must share the piece of the cake with as many stakeholders as possible,” she said.
This proved to be possible by the positive response from private companies who offered their services during the event.
She enhanced the mystique ambiance of Stone Town owing to its location and former ownership, Zanzibar Unique (tour operating company), ZD Printers, Rahim Saggaf (Creative Design), Maji Tu (exclusive Zanzibar water company) and others who contributed their success stories during the forum.
Destination Zanzibar’s Tourism Networking Forum attracted an audience that also included the island’s front liners in tourism including the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI) and the Zanzibar Association Tour Operators (ZATO).
Moreover, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism & Sports of Zanzibar as well as the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism had endorsed the event, with great support from the President’s Office, State House and Good Governance and Diaspora Office.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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