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Zanzibar to Host Forum Tackling Air Connectivity Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa Zanzibar to Host Forum Tackling Air Connectivity Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tourism and aviation leaders will converge in Zanzibar on 11 June 2025 for a crucial forum aimed at transforming air connectivity across Africa. The event is set to take place at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport, providing a platform to address the critical link between tourism and airline route development.

Bridging Tourism and Aviation for Growth.

The Tourism & Aviation Connectivity Forum will focus on an issue that has long hindered Africa’s travel sector: the lack of synergy between tourism strategies and aviation planning. Industry experts stress that failure to align these sectors can lead to the loss of vital airline routes—routes that are notoriously difficult to recover. The forum will explore how destinations can leverage tourism initiatives to secure and sustain airline routes, emphasizing that collaboration between tourism and aviation stakeholders is essential for unlocking economic growth.

A High-Level Industry Gathering


The event will bring together an impressive lineup of tourism CEOs, airline executives, airport authorities, government officials, and destination marketing organisations. Discussions will cover critical topics such as the role of tourism boards and private enterprises in influencing airline decisions, how airports and tourism agencies can collaborate to ensure route viability, and strategies for maintaining the long-term sustainability of new routes. Policymakers will also examine how to create an enabling environment that promotes better air connectivity across the region.

Who Should Attend?


This forum is tailored for influential players in both tourism and aviation. It is particularly relevant for:

  •   Tourism executives aiming to attract and sustain airline routes.
  •   Airline and airport representatives looking to enhance route success through partnerships.
  •   Route developers and planners keen to adopt best practices for engaging with tourism sectors.
  •   Destination marketing organisations seeking to ensure new routes thrive.
  •   Government officials exploring collaborative strategies to boost air connectivity.


The High Stakes of Air Connectivity in Africa


Air connectivity remains a pressing issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries face underdeveloped aviation networks. Regulatory barriers, high operating costs, and weak integration between tourism and aviation have hampered growth. However, industry leaders see tourism as a potent tool for driving route development. Lessons from last year’s AviaDev Africa workshop in Namibia highlighted that airline executives are eager to expand in Africa but need better data and stronger tourism partnerships to make informed decisions.
By fostering collaboration between airlines, airports, and tourism bodies, the forum aims to unlock Africa’s aviation potential. With tourism being a powerful economic driver, air connectivity remains the backbone of the industry. The Tourism & Aviation Connectivity Forum in Zanzibar is poised to equip stakeholders with the strategies needed to revolutionize travel across the continent, ensuring sustainable and profitable growth.