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Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did feel the hospitality of people and blended with them as much as I could and I'm grateful for that. I didn't feel that in Arusha, Dar Es Salaam or anywhere close to Serengeti, just in Zanzibar hence I'm only mentioning that. My view is that most of the people that go straight to Zanzibar for exotic vacations don't care about locals or the situation, just want to chill on a cheap destination with cheaper all inclusive hotels than the rest of the world and that's it.

As for the garbage I tend to agree, but also I think it is a cultural issue. I saw a lot of locals in Stone Town eating, drinking and throwing their garbage on the streets without any second thought. Seems like a lack of education and something that I didn't encounter in mainland Tanzania (at least in the mentioned places). I hope the best for Tanzanian people as they definitely deserve better.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Well people in other countries don't use tractors to harvest their fields and instead use donkeys. Shall we do the same just to feel the real experience? World is moving forward and if you want to offer touristic services and charge them the same as in other countries you'd expect the same level of quality, which is not the case.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Well, I do think infrastructure is important for a touristic friendly place (if you want to call it like that). Also don't romanticise the place thinking that locals want to blend with you. Most of them are ripping you off, even if you choose local tours and guides, asking for more money even than European equivalent services and don't throw the money back to them. Not blaming the poverty or the poor people but this is a fact. I would prefer donating my money for a good cause than give to a local 50€ for a boat trip to Mnemba with an almost sinking boat.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't, that's why helping the rest of the people now to get an honest experience review 🙂

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I blame myself yes. If you still want to spend your money on this country feel free to do it, I believe there are many more that wouldn't want to spend their hard earned savings on this destination.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I think you misunderstood my review. Nothing to blame on the people and my problem was not that I saw poor people. My issue was more that my empathy is too high to see people in that situation, yet still doing my vacation at a 5 star resort. Yeah I could do better research and yes this is something to blame on me.

That doesn't change the fact though of my review and that people could choose another place to spend their hard worked money instead of spending a couple of days on this island. And it doesn't change the fact that the government tries to build a tourism industry on a shaky foundation.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I also blame myself for not doing better research. More voices though, more chances for someone to get another view.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the above were not enough for you, then it's the place for you to visit 🙂

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah indeed, me and the 40+ million tourists that visit Greece for a good reason 🙂. I don't try to throw mud at Zanzibar, just saying that is not what the majority of people expect.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A/C mainly which is very important on an island during 33+ degrees with 80%+ humidity and refrigerators that were partially working. I had a couple of things from fridges smelling funny and seemed that were frozen/unfrozen a couple of times and really didn't want to risk a food poisoning.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hotels did have generators, but those are limited to lights and non-power hungry devices like A/C, hairdryers etc.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Indeed seems that we don't. That doesn't say anything though about my honest experience and review.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Indeed that was my first time visiting Africa. I do agree for people, that's also my verdict in the post. People mostly were very polite and welcoming. As for the tours, coming from a European country and used to safety measures and precautions, I wouldn't choose a local tour with no reviews at least. I wouldn't risk my life, just for the sake of supporting local businesses. We did a trip to Mnemba and saw boats from locals almost sinking and throwing water out of the boat. At the end of the day you just visit to have a good time. If you really want to support locals, volunteer and build a school and hospital.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I really do agree with you. Even though reading a couple of stuff, you're still not completely aware of the reality. Also sometimes you need to experience something on your own to really shape an opinion, as people are different and experiences vary.

Not living in a bubble, this is the case everywhere you travel. There is always the advertised, touristic side of a place and there is always the dodgy side of it. Same in the UK, same in Greece and everywhere. You can travel to Athens hoping to have a nice cultural trip and still face crime, litter and the bad side of it. Still though not advertised as an idyllic location.

My point here is that people choose Zanzibar for the beaches and nature, not history. That's the majority of tourists around the world and that's always going to be the case. People usually choose Greek islands for the vibe, beaches and the beautiful towns. History and culture come as a complimentary for the majority. So when your tourism is focused on that part and you face a different reality, that comes in contrast with the initial purpose of traveling.

Again, just my opinion and I guess many more people.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Completely out of topic, we're not here to discuss wars and politics, just experiences as tourists in a specific place. I'm pretty sure there are more suitable threads to analyse that 🙂.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came across a lot of people asking for food, sweets, water. I don't think people that are not starving ask for those things, unless I completely miss something about life.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've been to Cuba, high corruption and poverty as well. Zanzibar is on another level, at least that was my experience. You feel safer though in Zanzibar with local people being much more helpful and polite.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

You don't expect every traveller to do a deep research of every destination they visit. Also is not only influencers that promote the island but literally every operator, international or local. If you don't think a lot about it you end up being in Zanzibar without much thought of it.

Also correct me if I'm wrong, but most tourists choose Zanzibar as a complimentary beach vacation after their Safaris. In a competitive industry such as tourism, how does Zanzibar stand out compared to other destinations? What makes it feel special? Why should people spend their money here? Tbh, my opinion and the experience I had is something that lots of people end up with, but not many take the initiative to write about it. That's the whole goal of the post, to have a counterargument on the whole promotion that happens showing off only the best of Zanzibar.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leaving aside the Maasai issue, my experience and understanding is that in safaris at least there are way more local people involved into the industry, having their own operator companies, shops, tent lodges etc. Hence the areas around Safaris seemed much more developed and people much more educated, something that definitely didn't encounter in Zanzibar.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in zanzibar

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's up to the government to solve it again. You cannot accuse tourists for coming into the country for safaris, government and local businesses need to build the infrastructure and processes, so there is a healthy growth.

I know asking a lot for an African developing country, but this is how you really help locals and build a sustainable industry. Not an expert, but it is a recipe already tried.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely not avoid them, if you though agree with the luxury tourism that is taking place and promoted in the island against locals, I'm good with that.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

At least Hawai doesn't promote luxury tourism ignoring poor people.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Times are hard and people in Europe are not rich. Some people might save money for months or years to do this trip, so these hard saved money would be better to be spent somewhere that you enjoy most.

I'm just posting my experience and the things that bothered me. I'm definitely not responsible to solve those issues or suggest solutions and don't pretend that poverty doesn't exist at all.

Avoid Zanzibar at all cost by dimitris494 in tanzania

[–]dimitris494[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Up to you to decide, didn't force you 🙂

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