Tanzania's tourism sector has recovered strongly in recent years. The East African nation is now one of the continent's fastest-recovering destinations. International visitor arrivals jumped to 2.14 million in 2024. This figure is more than double the 923,000 visitors recorded in 2021.
Tourism Minister Ashatu Kijaji provided these statistics. Marketing campaigns targeted key markets in Europe and North America to drive this growth. The trend continued into 2025. Early data show an approximate 9% increase in volume compared to last year.
Domestic tourism has flourished. Rising spending power, better infrastructure, and government promotion helped the Tanzania’s tourism sector. Local visitors to attractions rose sharply in 2024. The number hit 3.2 million, up from around 789,000 in 2021. This increase shows better accessibility and appeal within the country.
Economic Impact and Strategic Importance
Tourism plays a central role in Tanzania's economy. The sector contributes approximately 17.2% to the nation's GDP. It accounts for about one-quarter of foreign exchange earnings. This makes it a leading source of hard currency. The industry creates many jobs beyond direct revenue. It supports livelihoods in hospitality, guiding services, and transport.
The government recognizes its reliance on wildlife safaris in iconic areas like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. However, the officials are actively pursuing diversification. Key growth areas include beach holidays on the Indian Ocean coast, particularly Zanzibar. Other priorities are meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Sustainable ecotourism projects focus on conservation and community benefits.
Hotel Development Boom on the Mainland
The rise in visitors has encouraged major investment from international hotel brands. These companies want to build or expand their presence in Tanzania. Key projects are moving forward in Dar es Salaam, the commercial hub:
- Serena Hotels is refurbishing the Serena Tanzania property. The Kenyan-based group will turn it into a 230-room hotel.
- Radisson will open a Radisson Blu hotel and apartments. This project occupies the top 14 floors of a 33-story tower. The 196-room development will open in autumn 2026.
- The W Hospitality Group published an annual report on African hotel development in early 2025. Tanzania's pipeline included 3,432 rooms across 29 live projects. This averages about 118 rooms per property. The country ranks ninth on the continent for upcoming supply.
Zanzibar: A Hotspot for Luxury Resort Growth
The semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar has become a primary focus for high-end hospitality projects. The island is famous for its beaches, spice heritage, and Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Several prestigious brands are investing large sums:
- Canopy by Hilton Zanzibar is in development. The project is often linked to "The Burj" seafront location. It promises coastal accommodations with views.
- Four Seasons is building a luxury resort. It will feature villas and many amenities.
- Le Méridien will open a 75-room resort in the Bwejuu area. The target opening date is around 2025.
- Minor Hotels is partnering with Infinity Developments on a new Anantara Zanzibar Resort. This property is on the northern coast and will open in 2027. It will have between 100 and 181 rooms. The resort will include luxury suites and a presidential villa.
These projects show Zanzibar's rising status as a premium beach destination. They complement the safari offerings on the mainland. This helps spread Tanzania’s tourism benefits more evenly.
Looking Ahead
Infrastructure improvements and promotion support the growing tourism numbers. This includes film and celebrity endorsements. Strategic diversification helps too. International brands commit capital to new hotels and resorts. The country strengthens its position as a varied destination. It blends world-class wildlife experiences with coastal luxury and cultural richness.
Tanzania focuses on sustainability and inclusive growth. The tourism sector drives economic recovery and builds a foundation for long-term prosperity. This happens in one of Africa's most biodiverse and culturally rich nations.
