The islands of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean and Yeosu, a coastal city in South Korea, are exploring potential collaborations in marine tourism and industry during the World Island Expo.
The expo, designed to share the cultural and future values of islands worldwide, is generating interest in expanding beyond a simple international exhibition to a platform for local government exchanges and economic cooperation.
On October 27, the organizing committee of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo announced that a 45-member delegation led by President Hussein Ali Mwinyi of the Zanzibar autonomous government visited the expo site.
The delegation included Suleiman Mohamed, chairman of the Zanzibar Tourism Commission; Saleh Saad Mohamed, CEO of the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority; and Noel Emmanuel Kaganda, Tanzania's ambassador to South Korea.
This visit is particularly significant as Zanzibar is participating in the second phase of the international exchange exhibition at the Yeosu World Island Expo.
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago located off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa, comprising several islands, including Unguja and Pemba. Known for its beautiful beaches and UNESCO World Heritage site Stone Town, it boasts a unique history and culture centered around the spice trade.
In the afternoon, President Mwinyi and his delegation toured the expo's theme island, cultural island, and future island.
They then visited the Zanzibar exhibition at the international exchange island, where they observed the presentation of their island culture and tourism resources to Korean visitors.
President Mwinyi described the expo as a meaningful opportunity to share the diverse values and potentials of islands worldwide and to seek a sustainable future for these regions together.
He added, "Zanzibar and Yeosu are moving toward sustainable development based on our shared assets of sea and islands. I hope the friendships and cooperation established through this expo will strengthen and that islands around the world will develop together."
He also expressed gratitude to those who worked hard for the success of the expo and to the citizens of Yeosu.
Earlier, on October 25, the expo featured a performance called 'Island Friends Day,' showcasing traditional Tanzanian dance and music, furthering cultural exchange between the two regions.
Notably, discussions on marine tourism and industrial cooperation took place alongside the expo visit.
Before attending the expo, the delegation visited Yeosu City Hall to meet with the mayor and discuss potential collaboration in tourism and economic sectors.
Key topics included balancing cultural heritage preservation with tourism promotion and sharing experiences in eco-friendly marine tourism policies.
The possibility of collaboration linked to Zanzibar's government initiatives for high-value fisheries and economic zone development was also discussed.
Both regions, leveraging their islands and marine assets, have the potential to expand their exchanges not only in tourism but also in seafood processing and investment.
During their visit, the delegation also toured the POSCO promotional center in Gwangyang and a seaweed processing company in Goheung.
This itinerary aimed to observe South Korea's industrial operations in steel and manufacturing, as well as seafood processing.
Zanzibar, with its seaweed and fishery resources, is expected to draw on South Korea's industrial experience to enhance the value-added seafood processing industry.
However, the discussions on tourism and industrial cooperation during this visit are not yet at the stage of concrete project implementation or investment confirmation, indicating that future practical discussions and action plans will determine the actual outcomes.
Moreover, to ensure that the international exchange relationships formed through the expo do not remain a one-time event, ongoing discussions on tourism policy exchanges, corporate cooperation, and investment are necessary.
Kwak Eun-joo, head of the hosting cooperation department, remarked, "The visit of the Zanzibar president is a significant moment reflecting the fruitful connections established by the world's first island expo with islands around the globe."
She added, "I hope the relationships initiated at the island expo will lead to practical cooperation in marine tourism and marine environmental conservation beyond the expo itself."
The visit of the Zanzibar delegation highlights the potential of the Yeosu World Island Expo to serve as an international exchange platform for discussing cultural diversity in island regions, marine industries, and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the '2026 Yeosu World Island Expo,' themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' opened on September 5 and will run for 61 days until November 4, taking place in the Dolsan Jinmo area and the Yeosu World Expo site, as well as on Geodo and Geumo Islands. The expo features exhibitions, performances, and international exchange programs showcasing the culture, ecology, and future industries of islands from around the world.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.