ZANZIBAR, Jan 25 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — A TOTAL of 190 tourists from Bulgaria arrived in Zanzibar on a special charter flight, marking a renewed push to attract visitors from Eastern Europe and expand the islands’ global tourism footprint.
Welcoming the flight at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Terminal III, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Dr Aboud Suleiman Jumbe, described the arrival as a milestone in the ongoing transformation of Zanzibar’s tourism sector.
Dr Jumbe noted that Eastern Europe has historically been a source of tourists to Zanzibar, but arrivals declined sharply following the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the return of direct flights signals renewed confidence and targeted efforts to revive and diversify tourism markets.
The PS stressed that the new route supports Zanzibar’s ambition to receive more than 1.5 million tourists by 2030, expressing optimism that the target could be reached even earlier, particularly as Zanzibar prepares to host visitors during the AFCON tournament expected in 2027.
“This is the result of joint efforts by both governments, the Union and Zanzibar governments to strengthen tourism through strategic planning,” he said.
Dr Jumbe added that Bulgaria, a country rich in history and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, is now discovering Zanzibar’s unique attractions, including white sandy beaches, the Indian Ocean, sunshine, historic sites, culture, spices, and cuisine.
Beyond tourism, he said the new air link opens doors for trade, investment, and business cooperation between Zanzibar and Bulgaria.
The Bulgaria Airlines flights are expected to operate three times a month, with each aircraft remaining in Zanzibar until tourists complete their stay. The arrangement is projected to bring 400–450 Bulgarian tourists monthly.
He commended tourism partners, including Coral Travel Zanzibar, for helping unlock new markets beyond Western Europe and North America, extending outreach to Eastern Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Meanwhile, Zanzibar Tourism Commission Marketing Director, Rahma Sanya, said the arrival of Bulgarian tourists strengthens Zanzibar’s global visibility and aligns with ongoing efforts to promote the destination through cruise tourism and emerging markets.
She said Zanzibar has already welcomed cruise ships carrying tourists and continues to position itself across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas to increase arrivals, length of stay, and tourism revenue.
On his part, Hafidh Ali Shamhuna, Company Managing Director, said securing direct international flights is challenging but credited the current government for creating a conducive environment that made the Bulgarian flight possible.
He said plans are underway to attract more direct flights from countries including Russia and Ukraine, noting that the expansion will benefit not only tourism but other sectors of the economy.
Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) Head of Public Relations, Mulhat Yussuf Said, said Bulgaria Airlines is the first new airline to land at Zanzibar’s airport this year, expressing hope that more carriers will follow.
She said the government continues to invest in airport infrastructure, including plans to link Terminal II and Terminal III, develop Airport City, and upgrade Nungwi Airport.
She praised President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi for leadership that continues to position Zanzibar as a preferred international tourism destination and called on global travelers and airlines to explore the island’s opportunities. — NNN-DAILYNEWS