On November 17, 2011 Busara Promotions hosted a meeting with key
stakeholders from the Zanzibar business community and government to
discuss ways of promoting Zanzibar and boosting cultural tourism
through music and arts events.
The one day meeting, hosted by Busara Promotions was held at the
Zanzibar Beach Resort and brought together seventy representatives from
public and private sectors to explore the impact of festivals in
Zanzibar, strengthen alliances and develop partnerships. The
proceedings were officially opened by guest of honour Hon Seif Sharif
Hamad, First Vice President of Zanzibar.
In his opening Hon Seif Sharif Hamad expressed the importance of
culture as a tool in bringing prosperity to the people of Zanzibar and
the islands’ social and economic future.
Hon Seif Sharif Hamad also reiterated the importance of cultural
tourism as a major contributor to the local economy by stating
“Altogether the investment and growth of the creative industries and
cultural tourism can assist in poverty alleviation towards the MDGs and
Zanzibar’s vision for 2020 under Zanzibar Poverty Alleviation Plan,
popularly known as MKUZA.”
Mr Yusuf Mahmoud, Director of Busara Promotions said “When we
started Sauti za Busara in 2004, February was low season in Zanzibar.
Now it is peak season, because of the festival. Commission for Tourism
statistics show the numbers of visitors to the islands during February
each year has increased by more than 400% since the festival started.”
“Most festivals around the world, even in Africa, receive
significant funding support from municipalities, local and national
governments. In nine years, Sauti za Busara received zero cash support
from the governments in Zanzibar and Tanzania. Instead of receiving
contributions from National Arts Council (BASAZA) or local government,
in reality it is the other way round! For the festival to continue in
Zanzibar, local government needs to contribute, as well as airlines,
hotels, restaurants and bars and other businesses that profit during
the time of and because of the festival.”said Yusuf Mahmoud.
In support of this statement Hon Seif Sharif Hamad encouraged the
local business community together with the Ministry of Information,
Culture, Sports and Tourism who benefit directly and indirectly from
festivals to provide financial support to build sustainability for
these events and ensure they remain within the hands of the people of
Zanzibar.
Hon Seif Sharif Hamad expressed commitment from the government of
Zanzibar to work together and support festival organisers to find
innovative ways of securing funds for festivals in Zanzibar.
Among other prominent members of the business community and
government, the event was attended by representatives from other
cultural festivals in Zanzibar including Jahazi Literary & Jazz
Festival as well as Zanzibar International Film Festival.
Local stakeholders agreed on the importance of cultural tourism and
how it positively affects their business operations in Zanzibar, and
committed to working together with Busara Promotions and the Government
to identify and implement ways in which they can collaborate.
The 9th edition of Sauti za Busara festival takes place in Zanzibar 8 – 12 February 2012.
more info: www.busaramusic.org and www.facebook.com/sautizabusara
Sponsors:
Sauti za Busara 2012 so far is supported by Norwegian Embassy, HIVOS,
MIMETA, Roskilde Festival Charity Society, Embassy of France, Times FM,
Memories, Grand Malt, African Leisure Centre, fly540, Azam Marine,
Zanlink, SMOLEII and Multi Color Printers.
For photo galleries* of the festival see
www.busaramusic.org/
www.busaramusic.org/
www.busaramusic.org/
www.busaramusic.org/
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