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Meet Husna: The 360° Tour Guide Transforming the Zanzibar Tourism Industry 

Zanzibar tourism transformation
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She guides, drives, dives… And wait for it, she’s also a chef and a skipper! Mic drop… Who is this superwoman?

Husna is a woman with many talents. She’s the founder of an all-woman tour agency called Her Tours and Safaris, based in Zanzibar.

In just one year since opening her tour company, her initiative couldn’t have come at a better time. Zanzibar’s tourism industry has been booming, with visitor numbers reaching record highs in recent years. The island’s stunning beaches, historic Stone Town, and vibrant culture attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Yet, despite tourism accounting for nearly half of Zanzibar’s GDP, women have historically been underrepresented in the sector. Traditional cultural norms had previously limited their participation to behind-the-scenes roles in hotels and restaurants. But times are changing, and women like Husna are at the forefront of this transformation.

Husna saw a gap in the industry… a lack of women tour guides and seized that opportunity. Since then, she has inspired many young women to join her and be part of Zanzibar’s growing blue economy.

“I came up with the name Her Tours & Safaris to empower women,” she explains.

“Tourism in Zanzibar is mostly a male-dominated industry. When I started, you could count the number of female tour guides on one hand. However, starting Her Tours & Safaris has allowed me to give young women interested in the travel and tourism sector an opportunity to learn and exercise their passions for becoming local guides,” Husna further elaborates.

Husna is not only a powerhouse in guiding, but she’s also passionate about diving. She’s one of the few professional female divers in Zanzibar.

“I started my career as a diver. But later on, I realised that I also love guiding, telling our story, and showcasing our beautiful island,” Husna explains.

“What makes women-led tours special is our attention to detail and our ability to connect with both male and female tourists. We can take female travellers to local women’s spaces and share authentic experiences that might not be accessible to male guides. Plus, many families travelling with children feel particularly comfortable with female guides,” she adds.

With so much passion oozing out of her, Husna has become a well-sought-after tour guide.

“When I get clients, the first thing I tell them is, we are a 360 tour. Tell us your dream holiday and we will create an itinerary for you,” she says proudly.

“I drive, I guide, I dive, and I drive a boat too. And please throw in the fact that I’m also a chef,” she adds with a chuckle.

Yes, Husna is also a boatwoman, or what others refer to as a skipper.

So what are the challenges that Husna faces being a woman in the industry?

“When I started Her Tours & Safaris, it hit differently with Zanzibaris. People were wondering how a woman could run a tour company and how she would manage it. There’s a bit of a power struggle,” Husna states.

Husna , Founder of Her Tours & Safaris

But to prove her critics wrong, Husna has shown that she can’t be stopped. “I give my clients a 360 experience and make sure my team provides top-notch service while still preserving our culture as Zanzibari women,” she notes.

“And yes, I get the satisfaction of surprising my male counterparts in the industry,” she adds with a smile.

Husna’s dream is to see more women working in the tourism industry. She believes there’s so much that women can do. “I have a team of eight people, all women. I’ve trained them to be guides, divers, drivers, and chefs. But I would love to see my team grow to include more women,” she explains.

“There are so many young women with talent in my community and outside my community. That’s why I go into these communities looking for and seeking out these talents. Once I identify them and see that they have the interest and the passion, I train them, polish their skills, and turn them into professionals,” she adds.

Working in tourism has its perks, and Husna relishes these experiences. Not forgetting she’s an adventure junkie.

“My best memory to date is diving with whale sharks in Mafia. It’s an intense and exhilarating moment that’s hard to explain to someone unless you do it yourself. My second-best memory is skydiving in Zanzibar. What can I say? I love dare-devil thrills,” she says with a laugh.

Being raised by a single parent, Husna attributes her strength, resilience, and courage to her mother. “My mother is my biggest inspiration,” she says.

“She’s a strong woman and has never shown me that we lacked anything, even when we did. She’s always been encouraging and proud, and gives me her blessings in everything I dream of doing,” Husna adds.

Having gained experience and knowledge of the tourism industry, her biggest drive is to see women in Zanzibar wake up and start their businesses. She believes the industry is big enough for everyone.

“My advice to women, especially in Zanzibar, is to be more daring. I would like to see them change their mindsets and chase after their dreams. Nothing is impossible!” Husna advises.

The future of Zanzibar’s tourism industry looks bright for women entrepreneurs like Husna. As the island’s tourism master plan shifts toward sustainable and inclusive growth, women are carving out unique niches in the sector… from eco-tourism ventures to cultural heritage experiences.

These women-led initiatives generate sustainable income while preserving and showcasing Zanzibar’s rich cultural heritage.

Read more about Why Tanzania Makes It a Global Top Destination: Adventure, Culture, and Relaxation Await

I’m a storyteller and a passionate advocate for sustainable tourism and community engagement. With a love of travel, I dig deep into the heart of every destination, uncovering its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and the unique stories of its people. My mission is to inspire women to embrace the joys of travel and to lift the spirits of local tourism, showing you ways to explore and appreciate the beauty and diversity of Tanzania. What else do I do? I’m a co-founder of Crescendo Digital, an Integrated Tourism Marketing & PR Agency.

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Maryam abdulla maulid
Maryam abdulla maulid
11 days ago

A wonderfull narration congrats
Are you in need of female swimmer for somehow ?
There is one person named dada wa makachu at forodhan
If you are interested please contact me

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