This year Colors of Zanzibar starts
it's third year in business and I was thinking to reflect a bit on
what we've done and what to expect from the future.
Two years ago we were just a very
excited young couple who had decided on starting a travel company. We
had great dreams of changing tourism to be more culturally aware, to
benefit locals and to empower women. Of course we also had a vision
of being able to build a good, working, sustainable company.
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| In our newly opened office in the beginning of 2012! |
In the beginning every enterpreneur has
dreams that are un-realistic. We definitely thought things would go
faster – and kinda also forgot the feared TIA factor (This Is
Africa). But as I look back now, I'm very happy with the company we
have built!
We have just opened a new tour in Matemwe Village. It's the third cultural village tour we have, and
the best example of how easy it is to do good! Just by starting this
tour we have encouraged women to merge their businesses, and the
local school is happy for the donations every tour gives to them.
Also the village tours make tourists and villagers to become closer
and to learn to know each other, which is an important thing on an
island where locals are not always sure if tourism benefits them in
any way, or is it just taking their space and changing their culture.
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| Matemwe Village Tour, first group ever with the help of Panga Chumvi Beach Resort! |
During these two years we have found a
wonderful office for ourselves and made it to look like us. We have
also found the best team to work with, and I couldn't be more
thankful for the people we have in our lives and who care about
Colors of Zanzibar!
What will the future bring?
We are preparing a Princess Salme Tour
together with the Sayyida Salme Foundation, the best expert about
Princess Salme and the royal life in Zanzibar. This will give
tarvellers a glimpse to the Zanzibari court, wrapped around the
famous story of a Zanzibari Princess who became the first published
woman writer from Zanzibar in the 20th century.
Another big, big thing is the NGO we
are starting! It will hopefully help with educational issues in
Zanzibar, but more about that later. We are also starting a
volunteering program hand in hand with another organisation, but also
about that I will be able to tell more in just a bit. Just so you
know – you can already ask about volunteering possibilities in
Zanzibar, especially in arts or in the social sector.
I hope the future will bring a lot of
good things for you all!
