Let’s Go Clubbing!
TUI with 2800 hotel beds in Zanzibar
One of the world’s leading travel companies, the TUI Group with its headquarters in Germany, is massively expanding its presence in Zanzibar – a strong signal how important the island has become in international tourism. Next step: The famous Robinson Club is building a resort at Muyuni Beach on the north-east coast.
Club holidays have finally landed in Zanzibar. What does that mean for the island? What sort of holiday does a club offer today? And how do Robinson and TUI, both mega players on the travel market, want to avoid overtourism on our small island? In an exclusive interview with the FUMBA TIMES, Bernd Maeser, managing director of all TUI clubs worldwide, gave frank insights into travel strategies. The 49-year-old, hailing from Dresden in eastern Germany, is in charge of 40 Robinson and TUI Magic Life Clubs.
THE FUMBA TIMES: What is so special about Zanzibar?
Bernd Maeser: Zanzibar is one of my favourite destinations, a rare all-year-round symbiosis of relaxation and adventure.
When will the first Robinson Club open here?
We start building in 2025 and want to open for the New Year season 2026/2027. The club will have 320 rooms and villas on an amazing vast beach property on the northern east-coast at Muyuni beach, just after the other new TUI flagship in Zanzibar, The Mora.
TUI is becoming a major investor here with five hotels on both sides of the northern tip – The Mora, TUI Blue, the future Robinson Club, and RIU Jambo and RIU Palace in Nungwi. And a third RIU is under construction.
Yes, we are now offering 2,800 beds on the island.
The Robinson club is being built completely new…
We want a spectacular and sustainable club. Upon arrival you will see the sea; we are creating an open sight axis from sunrise to sunset. The land is hilly, so almost all rooms will have a sea-view.
Tell us more about the concept of club holidays, are they still in fashion?
Very much so. Robinson has existed for 50 years. From pool parties every day, the club has matured into a high-class home away from home where you make new friends, meet old ones. In their work-life, typical Robinson guests stay in high-end business hotels, they want the same standards on vacation. And top-notch sport activities the whole day: clean tennis courts, WellFit yoga, certified instructors. We cater to cosmopolitan people with an active lifestyle.
Some travellers still remember the legendary first Robinson Baobab Club on Diani beach in Kenya in the 80s…
That’s where and when African beach tourism started in earnest! Drum parties around a campfire on the beach.
Are Robinson clubs more for singles, families for couples?
For everybody. Sharing moments is the new luxury and philosophy.
Do clubbers stay in the resort, or venture out?
They definitely want to venture out, get to know the place. The average European has not seen pepper grow, for example. It’s Zanzibar’s treasure to be able to show such things.
Overtourism is considered a new curse. Citizens have demonstrated in Barcelona, Majorca and Amsterdam against too many tourists.
Tourists bring advantages and disadvantages. The capital influx is useful only when everybody profits, the government, the destination and local people. TUI has started building flats and staff houses for instance in Dubrovnik to offset a lack of affordable living space. The TUI care foundation supports green local entrepreneurs and education. Only well-educated people can and will earn well in tourism.
Interview: Andrea Tapper
Breakfast at 2pm
TUI is testing a new luxury brand in Zanzibar. “The Mora” is the travel company’s priciest hotel yet.
Rooms start at $590 per night/all in; packages at lower rates possible. “We have chosen Zanzibar because it is an all-year-round destination”, a company spokesperson said. The resort with 250 suites, six pools and four restaurants is located at the northern tip of the island – becoming more and more a corporate hub. Flexibility with all-day-dining and 24/7 room service is part of the new individual concept.
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