Working For and With Communities

The educational policy brief recommends the creation of educational modules for Zanzibaris to increase their local involvement in the tourism industry. The problem identified is tourism is a key driver of Zanzibar’s economy, but Zanzibaris often struggle to benefit directly due to barriers such as limited education, language skills, and financial literacy. Foreign investors dominate the sector, building hotels and attracting expatriates, while locals are limited to engage in indirect roles, like providing seafood, and face significant competition. This has led to tensions between stakeholders in the industry, heightened by  the lack of cultural awareness many tourists display while visiting the island. In combination with the Blue Economy Ministry and our partners at SUZA, the team identified that poor communication, limited access to resources, and inadequate support for locals to navigate the industry adds to the challenges for local involvement in the industry. Addressing these challenges through education in areas such as marketing, financial literacy, and cultural orientation could empower Zanzibaris, improve stakeholder relationships, and mitigate local-tourist tensions.

The local governance policy brief focuses on Zanzibar's social and environmental challenges due to rapid tourism growth. The problem stems from conflicts between local stakeholders, including villagers, hotel owners, and tourists, exacerbated by the lack of effective communication between stakeholders. Through ethnographic research within communities on the island, the project investigated local tensions, such as miscommunications, cultural misunderstandings, and resource conflicts. The proposed solution is the establishment of regional councils that bring together representatives from all stakeholder groups to improve communication, conflict resolution, and policy understanding. This would empower local communities, bridge cultural divides, and promote cooperative governance. In summary, the project aims to foster greater collaboration and understanding between stakeholders to address the socio-economic and environmental challenges in Zanzibar's tourism sector.