Zanzibar. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially inaugurated the Jaz Elite Aurora, a five-star luxury resort in South Unguja.
The inauguration ceremony, held on January 9, 2026, formed part of the commemorations marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution and was widely viewed as a symbolic and economic milestone in the archipelago’s tourism journey.
The opening of the resort is also being hailed as a tangible boost to the Blue Economy agenda, which seeks to position Zanzibar as a globally competitive hub for sustainable, ocean-based investment.
Nestled along a pristine 600-metre stretch of white sandy beach in the upmarket Michamvi area, Jaz Elite Aurora ranks among the largest and most sophisticated hospitality developments on the island.
Developed by the Jaz Hotel Group in partnership with global tourism giant TUI, the resort introduces a new benchmark in luxury accommodation and leisure facilities in Zanzibar.
The property comprises 346 elegantly designed rooms, ranging from swim-up suites to private villas, each equipped with its own pool.
It also features what is described as the largest swimming pool in Zanzibar, complemented by a family-friendly water park and a separate adults-only relaxation pool.
A standout attraction is the 120-metre-long jetty extending into the Indian Ocean, hosting a sunset bar and teppanyaki dining experience, while the Mivida Spa offers hammams, saunas and modern fitness amenities.
Addressing invited guests, investors and government officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Samia attributed the growing inflow of large-scale international investments to Tanzania’s enduring peace and stability.
“Investors are drawn to our country because of the safety, peace and stability we enjoy,” she said.
“Safeguarding this peace is a responsibility for every Tanzanian, because it is the foundation upon which our development rests.”
The President cited strong performance indicators in the tourism sector, noting that international tourist arrivals rose sharply to five million in 2025 from one million in 2020.
Over the same period, tourism revenue climbed to $4.2 billion, equivalent to approximately £3.3 billion, while the sector now sustains more than 2.5 million jobs across the United Republic of Tanzania.
She further urged the management of Jaz Elite Aurora to prioritise the procurement of locally produced goods, including fruits, vegetables and spices, as a deliberate strategy to ensure that the economic benefits of the investment are felt directly by Zanzibari farmers, artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs.
The inauguration comes against the backdrop of a buoyant tourism outlook for both Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Only days earlier, the country secured three prestigious honours at the 2025 World Travel Awards, including World’s Leading Safari Destination and Africa’s Leading Destination.
Zanzibar has also been recognised as Africa’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination, reflecting a deliberate shift towards attracting business travellers and the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market.
