President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed that the annual Kizimkazi Festival be officially added to Tanzania’s list of events that promote tourism, further boosting its national and international profile.
This directive came as the country’s tourism sector continue to grow, with receipts reaching $3.6 billion by June 2024, up from $2.9 billion in 2023, according to the Bank of Tanzania. Tourist arrivals also surged to nearly 2 million, marking a significant increase from 1.6 million in June 2023.
As the 2024 Kizimkazi Festival concluded, President Hassan highlighted the festival’s success in promoting unity, cultural preservation, and development. Addressing the crowd at the festival’s climax, she emphasized its dual role in driving both economic and social progress.
“The aim is to stimulate economic and social progress. More than that, it is to bring people together, to uphold brotherhood, traditions, and customs,” President Hassan stated.
With its inclusion in the official tourism calendar, the Kizimkazi Festival is set to become even more significant, particularly in the tourism sector. The festival, held annually, has been a key platform for showcasing Zanzibar’s rich cultural heritage and fostering community development.
President Hassan underscored the festival’s importance not just as a celebration but as a catalyst for regional growth. Throughout the event, various development projects in Kizimkazi gained momentum, with stakeholders actively participating in initiatives aimed at improving the area. The President called on the community to continue supporting these projects.
“By following up and overseeing all that we have committed to during this period, the people must be at the forefront, showing that Kizimkazi has responded and that no one has been left behind,” she urged.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Mr. Ahmed Hamisi highlighted the festival’s achievements, particularly in terms of development projects sponsored by various stakeholders. These projects include new hospitals, markets, schools, and a sports center in the region, all of which have contributed to improving the lives of Kizimkazi residents and strengthening Zanzibar’s cultural heritage.
Mr. Hamisi also expressed gratitude to the Zanzibar government, led by President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, who, during the festival’s opening day, pledged to address key challenges facing the community.
As Tanzania aims to generate $6 billion in tourism revenue by 2025, the Kizimkazi Festival’s elevation to an official tourism event is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this target, further cementing its significance in the nation’s cultural and economic landscape.
