Why German tourists are strongly advised by Zanzibar

Why German tourists are strongly advised by Zanzibar

Sansibar, Tansania - The discussion about travel to Zanzibar wins on trip after the Tikoker Siobhan shared her experience on the island. In particular, she advises white people to refrain from visiting because she could not enjoy her stay because of her knowledge of racism and colonialism. This statement is in contrast to the positive representations of vacation guru, which uses Zanzibar as a picturesque travel destination with dream beaches, safaris and exciting water sports. Despite such advertising, current statistics from the National Statistics Authority Tanzania show that in January and February 2023 almost 50% more tourists traveled to Zanzibar than in the previous year. Germany has established itself as the third most common country of origin for tourists, after the USA and France.

The growing number of tourists means that tour operators such as TUI and DERTOURS open new resorts on the island. In addition to the economic opportunities, this tourism trend also produces critical voices. Siobhan tells of a noticeable relationship between tourists and locals and accepted racism, which strongly influences vacation experience. Professor Jürgen Zimmerer, an expert in the history of Africa, supports Siobhan observations and criticizes the neocolonial structures in tourism.

neocolonial structures in tourism

carpenter argues that European tourists can often enjoy a vacation in former colonies, while many locals are denied. In this context, he criticizes the colonial nostalgia, which is used by the tourism industry as a marketing strategy. Examples of this colonial glorification include colonial lodges and photosafaris. This trend is not only limited to Zanzibar, but is also evident in other African countries such as Namibia, where colonial history is reflected in the tourism industry.

The travelers in Namibia, who are also under the influence of German colonial history, are often only confronted with stereotypical representations of the indigenous peoples. Zimmerer emphasizes the importance that travelers become aware of their role as beneficiaries in colonial history.

political tensions on Zanzibar

Sansibar society is diverse and characterized by various cultural influences, including Indian, Persian, African, European and Arabic. The official languages are Kiswahili and English, while in many regions there is also Arabic speaking. Historically, the Arabic influence on Zanzibar goes back to the 7th century, when Arab traders and refugees from South Arabia came to the island and entered bonds with the indigenous African population.