A clear-eyed read on the islands' tourism real-estate boom, the regulatory landscape, and where the smart capital is actually going.
Zanzibar received roughly 700,000 international visitors in 2024 — a number that has more than doubled since 2018. Hotel inventory has not kept up. Land prices on the north and east coasts have risen 15–25% year-on-year for the last three years.
The legal frame
Foreigners cannot freely own freehold land in Zanzibar — but the ZIPA (Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority) framework grants leasehold structures of up to 99 years for approved tourism projects, with tax incentives and capital-repatriation guarantees.
“Zanzibar received roughly 700,000 international visitors in 2024 — a number that has more than doubled since 2018.”
Where the money is going
Boutique hotels of 20–40 keys, branded residences in the Stone Town and Nungwi belts, and a handful of larger resort developments in Pemba. Eco-lodges in Pongwe and Michamvi are increasingly attractive to ESG capital.
Covers tourism real estate, blue-economy ventures, and Zanzibar's special economic zones.
Inspired by this story? Let’s build the journey.
Our Tanzania-based planners design a private itinerary around the dates, pace, and moments that matter to you. No booking fees, no obligation.
More from the Journal
Tourism Investment Opportunities in Tanzania
Lodges, camps, southern-circuit airstrips, and the under-built segments of the tourism stack.
Continue reading