· Zanzibar Commission for Tourism's 2011 visitor figures show that they have reached an all time high. Last year 175,000 tourists arrived directly from overseas. It is estimated that these numbers can be boosted by a further 25% to account for safari arrivals from the Tanzania mainland, and domestic arrivals via the Zanzibar seaport. · Construction of new, increasingly high-end hotels continues with the weddings and honeymoons market drawn to the exoticism of the name and miles of powder sand beaches. · There are an increasing number of Eastern European visitors and tourism investors on the island, notably Czech and Polish.· Standards in accommodation have generally risen in the last few years. Exciting new boutique properties have opened in Stone Town and around Zanzibar island which have raised the bar, and encouraged others to try to match their game.· Zanzibar Town has markedly improved in the last few years.

The regeneration of central Forodhani Gardens has significantly improved the urban landscape and has had a positive knock-on effect to other areas.· The first democratic elections were held in 1995. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since then. The formation of a coalition government between Zanzibar's two leading parties succeeded in minimizing electoral tension in 2010. This has led to a tangible sense of hope.· Political demonstrations occasionally take place in Zanzibar and are likely to peak during election times (next election 2015). These demonstrations usually pass off peacefully; however, visitors should exercise caution and avoid the immediate area at these times. · Approximately 95% of the population on Zanzibar and Pemba are Muslims.

Visitors should dress modestly away from tourist resorts, particularly in Stone Town and other places where the local population may be offended.· Homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania (including Zanzibar).· As in many places, there is an underlying threat from terrorism in Tanzania. Attacks could be indiscriminate and include places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. · The Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabaab, while based in Somalia, poses a threat across the East Africa region. On 11 July 2010 there were fatal bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda.· Since 2011 there has been an increase in the number of reported muggings and robberies, sometimes armed and accompanied with violence, in Stone Town and on popular tourist beaches in Zanzibar.· There have been two major ferry disasters in July 2012 and September 2011.

Emergency procedures and lifejackets/boats are severely limited on most local boats and extreme care must be taken in sea travel.· The FCO advises that piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and has occurred as far as 1,000 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia.· Take extra care when driving. Road conditions have improved dramatically - thanks to the World Bank - with tar roads accessing all major areas on Zanzibar. Driving standards and vehicles are generally poor though. · All drugs are illegal in Tanzania and those found in possession will be fined. · Swahili is the lingua franca, with English and Italian widely used in the tourism industry.