Why German tourists are strongly advised not to visit Zanzibar

Why German tourists are strongly advised not to visit Zanzibar

The discussion about traveling to Zanzibar is gaining momentum after TikToker Siobhan shared her experiences on the island. She advises white people in particular not to visit, as she was unable to enjoy her stay due to her knowledge of racism and colonialism. This statement contrasts with the positive portrayals of Holiday Guru, which promotes Zanzibar as a picturesque travel destination with dream beaches, safaris and exciting water sports. Despite such advertising, current statistics from the National Statistics Authority of Tanzania show that almost 50% more tourists traveled to Zanzibar in January and February 2023 than 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 is leading tour operators such as Tui and Dertour to open new resorts on the island. In addition to the economic opportunities, this tourism trend also raises critical voices. Siobhan tells of a noticeable power relationship between tourists and locals, as well as accepted racism that heavily influences the holiday experience. Professor Jürgen Zimmerer, an expert on African history, supports Siobhan's observations and criticizes the neo-colonial structures in tourism.

Neocolonial structures in tourism

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

Travelers in Namibia, who are also influenced by German colonial history, are often only confronted with stereotypical representations of the indigenous peoples. Zimmerer emphasizes the importance of travelers becoming aware of their role as beneficiaries of colonial history.

Political tensions in Zanzibar

In the background of these tourism developments are also political tensions that are deeply rooted in Zanzibar. The island is characterized by two nationalisms: Arab and African. These nationalisms, which were directed against British colonial rule in the 1960s, continue to lead to ethnic divisions in the semi-autonomous state of Tanzania to this day. License plates in Zanzibar feature the Zanzibari flag, which often waves in the wind. Many Zanzibaris identify more with their island than with the rest of Tanzania.

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

Given these complex historical and social circumstances, travelers should be sensitive to the circumstances and aware of the role they play in the context of racism and colonial history.