The Tanzanian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, has reported a steady increase in Nigerian tourists visiting Zanzibar, with 7,000 arrivals recorded in 2024 compared to 5,000 in 2023. Kakele made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lagos during the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market (AFTM), a three-day tourism expo organised by Akwaaba African Travel Ltd in partnership with Wakanow, Air Peace, Interswitch, Lagos State, and the Gambia.

Kakele attributed the rise in visitors to Zanzibar’s appeal as both a cultural and leisure destination.

“Our numbers are increasing on a yearly basis. In 2023, we attracted more than 5,000 Nigerians who went to Zanzibar as tourists. Last year the number grew to 7,000,” he said.

The envoy also highlighted other Tanzanian attractions, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti, and Mount Kilimanjaro, describing them as key destinations for African travellers. “If you have never been to Serengeti, then you are not ready for safari,” Kakele stated.

Addressing challenges in travel connectivity, Kakele announced that Air Tanzania would operate its first direct flight between Dar es Salaam and Lagos on September 19, aimed at facilitating easier access for Nigerian tourists. While acknowledging the high cost of intra-African travel, he emphasised that Tanzania has implemented tourism-friendly policies and is encouraging service providers to maintain competitive pricing.

Kakele also pledged stronger engagement in future editions of Akwaaba, noting that while government tourism agencies actively participated in the current event, there would be an increased push for private sector involvement in promoting Tanzanian destinations.

The AFTM event featured exhibitions, a culinary competition dubbed the “Jollof Rice War,” B2B sessions, dance presentations from the Calabar Carnival Festival, Ekpe masqueraders, raffle draws, and panel discussions, reflecting the expo’s role as a platform for showcasing African tourism and culture.