Sign in Subscribe
Tourism

Tanzania's Tourism Sector Sees Robust Recovery with Over 20% Increase in Hotel Occupancy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The tourism sector in Tanzania has shown remarkable growth, with a significant surge in hotel occupancy rates and expansion in accommodation capacity, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The national hotel bed occupancy rate rose from 43.4% in January 2023 to 65.5% in January 2025, marking a substantial increase of over 20 percentage points within a year. This growth is attributed to the strong return of international tourism, with international visitor bed-nights rising from 101,871 in January 2023 to 150,201 in January 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The national hotel bed occupancy rate increased from 43.4% in January 2023 to 65.5% in January 2025, representing a jump of over 20 percentage points within a single year.
  • The number of hotels and beds recorded in the official survey remained unchanged at 185 hotels and 10,705 beds in both January 2023 and January 2024, but grew to 266 hotels and 12,428 beds by January 2025.
  • International visitor bed-nights rose from 101,871 in January 2023 to 110,826 in January 2024, and then surged to 150,201 in January 2025, driving much of the overall growth in hotel occupancy.
  • The sector has benefited from the Royal Tour initiative by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which has promoted Tanzania's attractions to global audiences.
  • Technological advances, including improved payment convenience through mobile money platforms, have also boosted occupancy.
  • Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the tourism and hospitality sector has expanded capacity and improved services, attracting more visitors.
  • The rise of platforms such as Airbnb has opened alternative accommodation options, including successful short-term rental businesses ran by women entrepreneurs.
  • Local participation in tourism has accelerated bed occupancy through increased awareness campaigns, stronger economic activity, and higher incomes among Tanzanians.

Statistics:

  • National hotel bed occupancy rate: 43.4% (January 2023) -> 44.7% (January 2024) -> 65.5% (January 2025)
  • Number of hotels: 185 (January 2023 and 2024) -> 266 (January 2025)
  • Bed capacity: 10,705 (January 2023 and 2024) -> 12,428 (January 2025)
  • International visitor bed-nights: 101,871 (January 2023) -> 110,826 (January 2024) -> 150,201 (January 2025)
  • Royal Tour initiative: promoted Tanzania's attractions to global audiences
  • Mobile money platforms: improved payment convenience, including M-Pesa
  • Foreign direct investment (FDI): expanded capacity and improved services, attracting more visitors

Sources:

  • National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
  • Tanzania Institute of Accountancy
  • Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT)
  • President Samia Suluhu Hassan's Royal Tour initiative

Read more