Unguja Mjini Magharibi

As of June 2026, Stone Town, Zanzibar City have 421 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Unguja Mjini Magharibi generates TZS14.3M per year. High-performing properties earn TZS75.8M/year, while low-performing properties earn TZS3.6M/year. The extreme spread between average and top-tier earners highlights a market where revenue potential is highly concentrated, suggesting that standard offerings struggle to capture value while premium assets command significant market share.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Unguja Mjini Magharibi. Average annual revenue is TZS14.3M with 19% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to TZS75.8M/year. This wide disparity indicates that profitability is driven less by market-wide conditions and more by the ability of specific listings to outperform a generally low-occupancy environment.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Unguja Mjini Magharibi is 19%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of TZS238K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of TZS32K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Unguja Mjini Magharibi, with annual revenue of TZS35.0M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Unguja Mjini Magharibi market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Unguja Mjini Magharibi area. Stone Town, Zanzibar City: Lenient. Tourist Enterprise License from Zanzibar Commission for Tourism required, business registration with BRELA, health/safety inspections. Enforcement is minimal and inconsistent - many guesthouses and short-term rentals operate informally without proper licensing. Corruption and bureaucratic delays common. No owner-occupancy rules or rental caps. Growing market with limited regulatory oversight in practice. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Unguja Mjini Magharibi Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 24%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. Despite stable supply, the sharp drop in RevPAR suggests that demand has softened, neutralizing the competitive pressure usually associated with rising inventory.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak winter season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 25% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (April-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Unguja Mjini Magharibi listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (96%), Tv (91%), Washing Machine (81%), Balcony (74%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Gym, Pool, with Bbq properties earning approximately 223% more (TZS166.7M/year vs TZS51.5M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Unguja Mjini Magharibi over the last 12 months: May: TZS550K, June: TZS827K, July: TZS1.3M, August: TZS1.4M, September: TZS973K, October: TZS933K, November: TZS773K, December: TZS1.4M, January: TZS1.2M, February: TZS953K, March: TZS783K, April: TZS758K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Unguja Mjini Magharibi is TZS238K, up 8% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average TZS143K/night, 2-bedroom properties average TZS179K/night, 3-bedroom properties average TZS374K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average TZS828K/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in November.

Guests in Unguja Mjini Magharibi book an average of 41 days in advance, up 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 31 days, 2-bedroom: 54 days, 3-bedroom: 41 days, 4+ bedroom: 42 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Unguja Mjini Magharibi Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 1%, revenue per listing decreased 24%, occupancy fell 15%, average nightly rates increased 8%, and lead time increased 18%. These metrics reveal a shift toward longer booking cycles and higher price points, even as overall absorption rates and total revenue decline.

In Unguja Mjini Magharibi, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 8% higher occupancy than weekdays.