The Evolution of Cultural Tourism in Zanzibar: Opportunities and Challenges

Zanzibar has seen rapid growth in cultural tourism over the past few decades due to its rich history and cultural heritage. This form of tourism is on the rise among both local and international travellers and is seen as a way to encourage sustainable travel while preserving local culture. This paper seeks to assess the evolution of cultural travel in Zanzibar its opportunities and challenges. According to the review, Zanzibar's unique Swahili culture and heritage, shaped by its role across the Indian Ocean trade networks, are among its significant attractions. Basically, cultural tourism provides opportunities for economic development, which enabled Zanzibar to develop a strategic approach to harnessing cultural assets for sustainable tourism, which includes economic benefits such as job creation, revenue generation, and the preservation of historic sites and local arts. However, there are sustainability challenges related to the environment, infrastructure, digital technology, community inclusiveness, and the balance between tourist demands and community needs. Managing these impacts and promoting authentic cultural experiences is crucial for long-term benefits, and collaboration between government, businesses, and communities is essential for genuine and sustainable tourism development in Zanzibar.