Tui puts Zanzibar at the centre of its 2027/28 winter programme
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Tui UK and Ireland will launch non-stop Gatwick-Zanzibar flights as part of its 2027/28 winter programme, which will go on sale early next month.
Writes James Chappel (TTG) / Image (c) TUI
The operator claims it will be the only UK package holiday provider to fly direct to the archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Tui will operate the route twice-a-week on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3 November 2027 to 22 March 2028.
Tui said the decision to start flying to Zanzibar direct came in response to "growing demand for alternative long-haul winter sun destinations" and would make it most accessible than ever to UK travellers.
"It also offers a more affordable alternative to Indian Ocean favourites like the Maldives and Mauritius, giving it growing appeal among Brits looking for great value long-haul options," said Tui.
In total, Tui's 2027/28 winter programme will feature more than 2,000 hotels across 50 destinations, with free kids' places available at 60 hotels across the Balearics, Canaries, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, mainland Spain, Tunisia and Turkey during the school holidays.
The programme will go on sale on Thursday 2 July 2026.
Add-on potential
Tui will support its Zanzibar operation with a range of Tui Musement excursions, allowing guests to pair an Indian Ocean island holiday with a safari on the African mainland.
Other options include a national park and spice farm tour, allowing guests to spot rare red colobus monkeys, visit a local upcycling centre and learn more about Zanzibar’s history through guided visits and a traditional lunch at a community-run spice farm.
Tui Hotels and Resorts current operates eight hotels on the island, alongside offerings from Riu and Jaz, ranging from all-inclusives and adults-only offerings to premium beachfront properties.
They include Tui Blue Bahari Zanzibar on the north-east coast, which features five restaurants, four bars and three pools, and the five-star The Mora Zanzibar with its private pools, family rooms and in-house kids' club.
A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Zanzibar Bay Resort departing 1 December 2027 featuring with direct Tui flights and transfers leads in from £1,615pp based on two adults sharing.
'Standout addition'
Chris Logan, Tui Commercial Director UK and Ireland, said the new route would make it "easier than ever for customers to swap winter in the UK for island paradise. With our established hotel portfolio, we’re confident Zanzibar will be a standout addition to our winter 2027 programme, tapping into growing demand for long‑haul destinations that deliver both experience and value."
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