Zanzibar has recorded a 4.9 percent increase in tourist arrivals for February 2026, reflecting the continued recovery and expansion of its tourism sector. The semi-autonomous archipelago recorded 86,839 international tourist arrivals, compared to 82,750 visitors recorded in February last year.
However, according to Daily News the figure represents a 13.3 per cent decline compared to 100,216 visitors who arrived in January this year. Presenting the tourism entry statistics, a statistician from the Tourism Unit of the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (Zanzibar), Fatma Hilal Mohammed said 49,451 visitors (56.9 per cent) were men, while 37,388 (43.1 per cent) were women. According to the report, Europe remained the leading source market, accounting for 67,171 visitors (77.4 per cent).
Africa followed with 8,690 visitors (10 per cent), while Asia contributed 5,362 visitors (6.2 per cent). The Americas ranked fourth with 5,324 visitors (6.1 per cent), while Oceania recorded 289 visitors (0.3 percent). The data further shows that 82,155 visitors (94.6 per cent) entered Zanzibar through airports, mainly via the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, while 4,684 visitors (5.4 per cent) arrived through seaports. Ms Mohammed explained that the majority of visitors travelled to Zanzibar for leisure purposes. About 99.7 per cent visited for holidays, while 0.2 per cent travelled to visit friends and relatives.
The remaining 0.1 per cent visited for other reasons, including business and meetings. Tourism stakeholders described the steady growth in visitor numbers as a positive sign for the sector, but noted that more efforts are needed for Zanzibar to reach its target of one million tourists annually. An official from the Zanzibar Tourism Commission, Hassan Ameir Vuai, said efforts are ongoing to expand tourism markets in additional European countries.
Meanwhile, Assistant Immigration Superintendent Said Rajab Hassan urged the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage (Zanzibar) to work closely with the Zanzibar Ports Corporation to improve customer service for tourists arriving through seaports. He noted that some port staff lack adequate communication skills when interacting with visitors, which could discourage tourists from returning to the destination. Mr Hassan added that the Immigration Department plans to establish a tourism unit dedicated to improving customer service for visitors.
For his part, the Statistics Manager at the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, Bakar Hussein Yussuf, said the agency recorded 22 cases involving tourists in February, including five road accidents and 17 cases related to common illnesses. Despite these incidents, he noted that Zanzibar continues to attract large numbers of visitors compared to many destinations, largely due to its natural attractions, especially beaches, and its culture of hospitality. He stressed the need to strengthen efforts to promote and preserve these attractions in order to attract even more tourists to the islands.
[11:12 AM, 3/13/2026] Emeka: Africa: Seychelles Sees 77% Surge in Indian Tourists as Direct Flights Redefine Travel
Seychelles has recorded a massive 77% spike in tourist arrivals from India in 2025, a surge directly attributed to the expansion of direct flight connectivity. This growth marks a significant shift in the island nation’s strategy as it moves toward attracting “higher-value” travelers from the Indian market. According to Travel Trends Today, a major turning point for Seychelles’ India strategy came with the launch of direct flights by IndiGo between Mumbai and Mahé in March 2025, a development that tourism authorities say underscores the enormous, untapped potential of the India’s outbound market.
Speaking during her recent visit to India, Amanda Bernstein, Minister of Tourism and Culture in Seychelles highlighted that the IndiGo service has already delivered a substantial boost to visitor numbers. “IndiGo only started flying in March 2025 with four weekly flights, and they have already brought about just over 77% growth in arrivals from India. The numbers speak for themselves and the promise is there,” she said. The strong rebound also places India among Seychelles’ top 10 source markets, and the minister here believes the market could soon surpass its previous record year. “We have seen an increase in visitor numbers almost comparable to our previous highest in 2019, and we are on track to hopefully surpass those records from India,” she added.
Air connectivity has long been one of the biggest constraints for Seychelles in tapping India’s outbound tourism potential. With the new direct flights cutting travel time to roughly four hours, the destination is now positioning itself as a convenient luxury escape for Indian travellers. Bernstein reiterated that the expansion of aviation ties remains a key agenda item in bilateral discussions. Industry observers also believe the new direct route also opens opportunities to tap India’s rapidly growing Tier-II and Tier-III markets, where affluent travellers are increasingly seeking experiential international holidays beyond traditional destinations.
A Higher-Value tourism strategy
Despite the growing interest from India, Seychelles continues to maintain a carefully managed tourism growth strategy centred on sustainability and value generation rather than mass tourism. “We are a small destination and very focused on preserving what makes Seychelles unique — our environment and the quality of the experience.” The island nation’s tourism policy emphasises “higher-value, low-impact tourism”, a model aimed at protecting its fragile ecosystems while maintaining premium visitor experiences.
This measured approach partly explains why Seychelles historically maintained a more targeted marketing presence in India, compared with high-volume touristy destinations. However, the Minister indicated that engagement with the Indian travel trade is expected to intensify in the coming years. Having assumed office only four months ago, the Minister indicated that India would remain a priority market in future promotional plans, particularly as connectivity improves. “India is a priority market for me, and you will certainly see an increased presence here.”
Overall growth continues
Seychelles tourism has been on a broader recovery trajectory globally as well. The destination recorded a 13% growth in overall visitor arrivals in 2025, signalling strong post-pandemic momentum, as per the minister. Traditionally, Seychelles has relied heavily on European markets such as Germany, France, and Russia, which have historically dominated visitor arrivals. The authorities further stress that success will be measured not only by visitor numbers but also by the economic value generated across the tourism value chain.
Early indicators for 2026 numbers, the minister added, suggest continued growth. In terms of offerings, while the destination offers luxury beach holidays, the tourism board is increasingly promoting diversified experiences beyond the classic honeymoon segment, including family travel, nature-based tourism and corporate incentive groups/ MICE. One destination gaining interest among Indian operators is La Digue Island, known for its laid-back charm and bicycle-only exploration. Other experiences being promoted include hiking trails through Seychelles’ granite mountain landscapes, and cultural tourism initiatives that highlight the island nation’s Creole heritage.
Seychelles’ tourism infrastructure has also seen an influx of luxury hospitality investments in recent years, reinforcing its positioning as a premium destination. Recent openings include high-end properties such as Waldorf Astoria Seychelles and Cheval Blanc Seychelles, both catering to affluent global travellers. Alongside international brands, the government is also promoting locally owned boutique properties through its “Seychelles Secrets” programme, which features curated villas and intimate resorts designed for family getaways and milestone celebrations.
Strengthening India–Seychelles Tourism ties
During her India visit, the Minister also held discussions with government officials, tourism operators and business leaders aimed at strengthening bilateral tourism ties. Beyond travel, the conversations also explored people-to-people connections and cultural collaboration, reflecting the Minister’s dual portfolio for tourism and culture. With visa-free entry for Indian travellers and improved connectivity now in place, Seychelles believes the foundation has been laid for deeper engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets. “Seychelles has something for everyone. We are excited to welcome more Indian visitors to experience it for themselves,” she concluded on a positive note.
