The Greek hotelier who invested in the paradise of Zanzibar

From the comforts of the modern world, he found himself in a haven of magic and romance, the raw Zanzibar, and created the first Greek hotels. George Kotronis describes to protothema.gr how he decided to leave the comforts of the modern world and invest in a destination that was not only distant but also relatively unknown, given that most travelers choose more recognizable exotic destinations like Bali, the Maldives, Thailand, etc.

Zanzibar is located off the coast of Tanzania and is an archipelago, consisting—besides Zanzibar—of the islands of Pemba and Mafia, as well as other small islets. It is characterized by intricate coral reefs and enchanting vast beaches, full of palm trees, cinnamon, and nutmeg. On the travel map, Zanzibar has appeared in recent years as the new Maldives, with the potential to surpass them.

George Kotronis had already visited the most renowned destinations, including the Maldives, but he was looking for something more authentic, more primitive to chase his dream. He discovered his paradise in 2017 when he went to Zanzibar for a vacation and was offered to manage a 5-star hotel there, an offer he accepted without a second thought as he was convinced he had found what he was looking for. He already had extensive experience with significant collaborations in hotel management, from Switzerland to Elounda and Hersonissos in Crete, and Southeast Asia. This is how his adventure began in this earthly paradise with crystal-clear, turquoise waters, shallow beaches ideal for observing marine life, and numerous other natural beauties.

After the end of his contract, a year later, he accepted to take over another hotel, which he opened and managed successfully for three years. Seeing the investment opportunity in the rapidly growing tourism on the island, he decided to invest in his first hotel, which he named Zoi (Life) Boutique Hotel, and two years later, in F-Zeen (Well Living) Boutique Hotel.

When asked if there are other Greeks on the island, George Kotronis responds that there are a few, including the most notable dentist on the island, the director of a food supply company, a jeweler, and another Cretan who founded a school for young children from Zanzibar.

Speaking about the pros and cons of permanently living in Zanzibar, he mentions that the pros are definitely the nature and the climate, emphasizing that in the seven years he has been there, he hasn’t caught a cold even once. Additionally, he refers to a simple way of life that makes you appreciate things that are taken for granted in the Western world.

Referring to the development of Zanzibar as a destination in recent years, the Greek hotelier says it has grown rapidly and has more than doubled in the past seven years. “This is due to the fact that now many people are starting to orient themselves towards more unique, fresh, and authentic destinations. Especially during the Covid period, tourists from all over the world visited the island, wanting to escape the restrictions in their countries, and many of them decided to invest there.”

George Kotronis acknowledges the role of social media, such as TikTok, in promoting Zanzibar, noting that this advertisement played a significant role, as there are now thousands of references to Zanzibar on YouTube, Instagram, etc.

Regarding the cost of living on the island, he highlights that for foreigners, it is high because it follows the development of tourism. Concerning the need for work, he adds that positions are mostly filled by locals, who have been greatly helped by tourism. “For foreigners, unless we are talking about the level of investment, the positions that need to be filled are minimal and those at the highest administrative level,” he adds.

When asked how many Greeks visit the island each year, he mentioned that the Greek market has seen a noticeable growth in the last two years, with many of our compatriots now visiting the island, usually after a safari in Tanzania, giving them the opportunity to also collaborate with several travel agencies from Greece.

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