Tourism is the lifeblood of Tanzania’s economy, contributing over 17% to GDP, creating 1.6 million jobs, and generating 25% of foreign earnings. Zanzibar, a standout destination, relies heavily on tourism, which makes up nearly half of its GDP. Yet, the industry’s potential remains untapped due to challenges like inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and environmental concerns.

To address these challenges, UNDP Tanzania’s Accelerator Lab has teamed up with the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism and ICPSD’s SDG AI Lab. This collaboration aims to revolutionise Zanzibar’s tourism through data-driven approaches and advanced digital technologies.

A New Era with Real-Time Data

The partnership between the UNDP Tanzania Accelerator Lab and the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism was established to introduce innovative, data-centric solutions to the tourism sector. A significant challenge identified in this collaboration is the reliance on annual International Visitors’ Exit Survey Reports, which are not sufficient for real-time decision-making in today’s fast-paced environment. Recognising this, the project aims to shift from static, retrospective reporting to dynamic, real-time data collection and analysis.

"Tourism is the lifeline of Zanzibar's economy, attracting over half a million people yearly. But to remain competitive in an ever-evolving global market, we must leverage the latest technological advancements." This partnership is set to do just that by introducing AI-powered tools that will provide real-time data insights, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions" - Ms. Hafsa Mbamba, the Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.

The partnership leverages advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These technologies offer a deep dive into the intricacies of the tourism industry, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on real-time data. The centerpiece of this initiative is a web platform designed to help businesses identify popular destinations, preferred accommodations, and favorite activities among tourists. By tapping into these insights, businesses can tailor their services to meet customer preferences, ultimately enhancing satisfaction and boosting revenue.

Capturing the Voice of Tourists

Understanding tourist experiences is key to creating tailored services. Through social listening, this project monitors online conversations to gain real-time feedback, helping service providers enhance their offerings. The project uses data scrapers, mainly through the Apify platform, to gather vast amounts of data quickly, ensuring the insights are both comprehensive and actionable.

Unveiling Tourist Preferences

One of the project’s innovative features is Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA), which delves into tourist reviews to reveal specific sentiments about aspects like comfort, location, or service. This granular analysis allows the team to identify strengths and weaknesses in Zanzibar’s tourism offerings. Additionally, keyword extraction helps summarise large volumes of text, making it easier to spot popular topics and emerging trends.

The sentiment analysis process is divided into two main components: the Aspect Classifier and the Aspect-Based Sentiment Model. The Aspect Classifier identifies and categorises different aspects mentioned in tourist reviews, while the Sentiment Model determines the sentiment—positive, negative, or neutral—associated with each 

Empowering Stakeholders with Data

The culmination of these efforts is a robust web platform designed to transform complex tourism data into actionable insights. Built using Django for backend development and React for the frontend, the platform provides an intuitive interface for analysing and interpreting tourism data. The platform’s key focus areas include data visualisations and filtering functionalities, enabling users to explore data easily and derive actionable insights.

The platform offers various data visualisation options, including bar charts, line charts, pie charts, heat maps, grouped bar charts, and timeline charts. These visualizations make it easier to spot trends and patterns, providing stakeholders with clear insights to support data-driven decision-making. By simplifying complex data into easy-to-understand visuals, the platform enhances user engagement and promotes informed decision-making across the tourism sector.

A Brighter Future for Zanzibar’s Tourism

The collaboration between the UNDP Tanzania Accelerator Lab, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, and the ICPSD SDG AI Lab marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Zanzibar’s tourism industry. As Dr. Aboud Jumbe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, highlighted, “In the competitive world of tourism, digital tools are crucial for sustainable development.”

Through harnessing the power of AI, NLP, GIS, and other advanced digital technologies, the project aims to unlock Zanzibar’s untapped potential and position it as a leading tourist destination globally. Through data-driven decision-making, real-time insights, and innovative solutions, Zanzibar’s tourism industry is set to enter a new era of growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for Zanzibar. Let’s lead the way in innovative, responsible tourism that benefits everyone—visitors, businesses, and the local community alike. Join us in this transformative journey today!

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Contact us@ acc.lab.tz@undp.org

Written By:
Peter Nyanda, Team Lead & Head of Exploration, UNDP Accelerator Lab, Tanzania