Zainab ANSELL

Sheer determination to succeed made Zainab Ansell to be the woman she is today, a successful business woman and she has an award to prove that. Last year she received an a Ward for Business Entrepreneur of the year for running a successful tour operating company, managing 950 employees. Zainab founded Zara Tours in 1987 in Moshi. Her company started offering climbs to Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as safaris to the national parks. Today, Zara is one of the largest Kilimanjaro outfitter and one of the largest safari operators. It also operates two hotels and four tented camps, as well as offering trips to Zanzibar. What makes this tour operator different from the rest is that it has a record 88 registered guides who are conversant in English, German and Spanish languages. Zara entered into the hospitality industry in 2000 when Zainab and her husband, Roger, opened the Springlands Hotel in Moshi, named after the nearby crystal clear springs. Read More

The WTM event on Gender and Sustainable Tourism Development featured a presentation of the recently published Global Report on Women in Tourism , a joint UNWTO/UN Women publication, followed by interventions from representatives of the public and private sectors as well as of civil society. The latter shared their views and experiences on the important role of tourism in promoting women´s empowerment and discussed this link in light of the main themes of the report – Employment, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Education and Community. Participants included the Minister of Tourism of Paraguay, H.E. Ms. Liz Cramer Campos, the Founder and Director of Zara Tanzanian Adventures and Member of the Sustainable and Solidarity Tourism Network of the Spanish Banesto Foundation, Ms. Zainab Ansell, and the Founder and Co-Director of Zalala Beach Lodge, a community-based lodge in Mozambique and Member of the Central America Women´s Network (CAWN), Ms. Angela Hadjipateras. Read and R...

I first heard, Tanzanian,  Zainab Ansell speak at the launch of a joint UN Women and UN World Tourism Organisation report that examined the role of gender in sustainable tourism. Zainab was an engaging presence as she took the audience through the growth of her enterprise – ZARA Tanzanian Adventures (a tour operator specialising in trips ranging from safaris to Kilimanjaro expeditions) – and how their forward thinking gender policies both benefitted the community and made sound business sense.  I wanted to find out more about the story of this indomitable woman whose business now employs close to one thousand people. Over a series of emails, I asked her about the beginnings of ZARA. She told me that, when she had been young, her aspirations were “to hopefully get married and have a family” but “in life one thing leads to another”.  “After finishing high school I worked in a leather factory selling ladies bags - not so stimulating - however it was a job and I could co...

The Global Report on Women in Tourism (GRWT) a joint with United Nations World Tourism Organizations (UNWTO) has in several years ago marking a new era for tackling gender issues in the tourism sector. It provides detailed statistical information on women’s role and status in the tourism industry, offering recommendations on how to improve the current situation. UNWTO and UN women believe that tourism can be a vehicle for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Yet, much work needs to be done in order for this potential to be realized. One of the Great Female entrepreneurs, Ms. Zainab Ansell who run today, proudly, one of the biggest tourism companies in Tanzania called, ZARA Tours Company (ZARA Tanzania Adventures) was among the three women who attended UNWTO event held in London, United Kingdom (UK) recently.  The event debated among other issues, tourism’s potential for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment while at the same time examining current ch...

The 2013/4 Planned Activities for Zara Charity. This year Zara Charity will continue to provide its financial, moral and technical support to the following thematic areas, Continue with construction for the bigger facility for the Kilimanjaro Orphanage funded by Zara To provide comprehensive support to the orphans at the Kilimanjaro Orphanage. This will include the educational, health, psychosocial support and life skills. Support to the underprivileged Masai women who face social and economic hardships due to gender imbalances, traditions, ignorance and lack of economical base. To sponsor the Ngorongoro Marathon with the overall objective of raising awareness about Malaria. To sponsor the environmental conservation programs such as the reforestation program, cleaning mount Kilimanjaro and protecting the sources or water particularly the springs. To help porters and mountain guides. Support provided is to continue funding the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society, to train them,...

 Zara Charity Honored for Its Contribution to the Ngorongoro Marathon 2012: Race Against Malaria April marks Malaria Awareness Month, a critical time to spotlight efforts in the fight against malaria. This year, Zara Charity proudly received an award for its outstanding support and contribution to the 5th Annual Ngorongoro Marathon held on April 14, 2012. The event, aptly themed “Race Against Malaria,” brought together participants, sponsors, and community members to raise awareness and funds for malaria prevention. This life-threatening disease continues to claim lives, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where communities are disproportionately affected. Zara Charity’s involvement in this noble cause underscores its unwavering commitment to health and community development. The award recognizes not only the organization’s sponsorship but also its dedication to mobilizing resources, promoting awareness, and fostering meaningful partnerships in the fight against malaria. The Ngorongo...

  Zara Tanzania Adventures Wins Humanitarian Award at World Travel Market (WTM) in London London, December 2024 – Zara Tanzania Adventures, a leading name in the travel and tourism industry, has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian Award at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) held in London. The accolade recognizes the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and its profound contributions to environmental conservation and community empowerment. The award highlights Zara’s passion for creating a positive impact in the tourism industry, particularly through initiatives that balance environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community development. Over the years, Zara Tanzania Adventures has been at the forefront of driving sustainable tourism in Tanzania, exemplifying how responsible travel can uplift both people and the planet. A Moment of Honor for Sustainable Tourism Speaking at the award ceremony, Zainab Ansell, the Managing Director of Zara ...