British expat finds niche in Zanzibar tourism business after working in VIP hospitality

She has been working in the hospitality industry in France for 18 years, specialising in VIP hospitality in Monaco and France.

With extensive experience working with Formula 1 (F1), the best motorsport high-speed racing world where the best drivers compete, she also worked on creating celebrity music events.

When she decided to stay in Zanzibar and put that knowledge to use, her purpose was to bring her unique perspective to the tourism and hospitality landscape in Zanzibar. 

In Zanzibar, where tourism investment is enjoying a huge prosperous period, she aims to carve her niche, daring to revolutionise the hospitality scene by implementing elevated service standards, ensuring that international visitors receive an exceptional level of care and attention.

“I am blending the luxurious, tailored experiences I’ve learnt from my time in the competitive environments of the F1 circuit and celebrity events. I strive to create a distinctive and memorable atmosphere in Zanzibar that highlights its rich culture and natural beauty while catering to the needs of discerning travellers,” she confidently stated.   

Beth is not a stranger to fame and the world of celebrities; she famously ran ‘The Tap House,’ a lounge in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, and was featured on Channel 4’s UK TV series “A New Life in the Sun.”

The show documented her through her daily life running and managing the famous bar, showing the ups and downs, The series was so well-received that it was sold to Netflix USA and many other countries worldwide, further amplifying our story and the vibrant experience of running a bar in such a picturesque location.

“Running The TapHouse was both a rewarding and challenging experience,” she recalled. 

Her high standard of services for her guests was the same, whether a local, an international visitor, or a celebrity received the same high level of service.

It was essential for her to create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone felt welcome, “whether they were coming in for a simple pint of beer or looking to celebrate with a jeroboam of champagne,” she added.

In 2020, at the time when she was completely exhausted from her work at the bar and the numerous events she had been hosting.

She needed some time to escape and reflect; she was contemplating destinations in Asia, particularly Thailand, as well as options in Africa. 

After reviewing a few possibilities, she ultimately decided that Zanzibar was the best choice for her.

By 2020 Zanzibar was a rising star among the ranks of favourable tourism destinations, relatively unknown in some parts of the world.

“When I told my friends where I had booked, many of them asked “Where is Zanzibar?” she mused. This made her even more determined to have a unique adventure.

She wanted to be off the beaten path and experience something different, and that’s exactly what she found in Zanzibar. 

The promise of discovery made it the perfect destination for the relaxation and adventure I was seeking. 

Five years later, she is still in awe of the archipelago, she said, that what makes Zanzibar so unique and special is its simplicity and the genuine warmth of its people.

Life on the island is more basic, and yet, in that simplicity, she finds a deep sense of happiness among the locals. 

People seem to be content, which is refreshing to witness and experience. 

Their welcoming and friendly nature makes you feel at home, even if you’re a visitor. 

Zanzibar is truly a little piece of paradise. The stunning climate, with its beautiful beaches and vibrant landscapes, adds to the allure of the island. 

While nowhere is perfect, the combination of the people, the surroundings, and the overall atmosphere creates a magical experience that is hard to replicate. 

It’s a place where you can connect with nature and the local culture in a way that feels both enriching and fulfilling.

The unique blend of beauty and hospitality is what made her fall in love with Zanzibar. 

“I explored the local culture, enjoyed the breathtaking surroundings, and connected with the community, and I sensed a sense of belonging,” she smiled.

Zanzibar Island, which has just hosted the international Trace Music Awards, is ambitious to attract more entertainment juggernauts to the island, and Beth, who has the exposure, knows that too well. 

She believes the spicy island would benefit from having a TV show filmed there.

And she has spoken to the TV producers about the idea of filming, and they are very enthusiastic about the possibility. They informed her if they have the budget, they would love to bring a TV crew to the island.

Holiday planning, booking, and coordination can be stressful, and the spike in tourists going to the island convinced Beth to launch CreateAfrica Travel Consultancy to help tourists overcome the stressful process. 

“I have dedicated time to thoroughly researching the island of Zanzibar, which not only saves people time but also helps them avoid unnecessary expenses.Our goal is to help travellers have a magical, stress-free vacation,” she said. 

She takes pride in offering a personalised service where she only uses registered tour guides, historians, herbalists, and licensed drivers. 

This ensures that her clients receive the highest level of expertise and safety during their adventures. 

"By curating tailored experiences that highlight the unique aspects of Zanzibar, we help tourists immerse themselves in the culture, history, and natural beauty of the island without the usual hassles of planning,” she said.

While Tanzania has made great strides in developing its tourism infrastructure, there is always room for improvement in areas such as sustainable tourism practices and community engagement.

By focusing on these aspects, Tanzania can further enrich the visitor experience while ensuring that local traditions and communities are respected and celebrated. She observed.

Ultimately, she thinks it’s about finding the right balance between modernisation and the preservation of what makes Tanzania so special. 

She recently finished renovating her new project, ‘Mango Beach House.’ 

Since taking ownership of Mango Beach House, the business has been going well! They made a full renovation of the property because it desperately needed urgent care and attention.

Their goal was to preserve the authentic charm of the beach lodge. They focused on renovating, restoring, repurposing, and recycling everything that was there. 

The result is an even more beautiful space for their guests to enjoy, which truly reflects the essence of Zanzibar.

Soon, they will be undertaking phase 2 of the renovations, which includes plans for a pool and a new restaurant, aiming to provide their guests with even more comfort and relaxation options. 

The Swahili island is where she mostly lays her head to sleep, so she has been using the Duolingo app, the language app, to help her learn the Kiswahili language. 

She has also been taking lessons, and while it’s not the easiest language to learn, she has found it to be incredibly rewarding.

”The local community appreciates when we make an effort to learn a few words, which fosters a deeper connection and shows respect for their culture,” she pointed out. 

For tourists who want to learn a little bit of Kiswahili quickly, she recommends starting with some basic greetings and phrases. 

For instance, “Hello” is “Mambo,” and the typical response is “Poa,” which means “cool” or “fine.” Another essential word is “Asante,” which means “thank you.” These simple expressions can go a long way in building rapport with the locals. 

Beth and her husband now reside in Zanzibar, and she has found a balance between love and work. 

Balancing work and love while living in Zanzibar can be a challenge, as it would be in any country. 

It’s noted that it’s not always easy to live, love, and work together, but they share a lot of similarities, “probably because we were born on the same day! 

Yes, we share the same birthday, which helps us understand each other on a deeper level,” she passionately pointed out. 

We also recognise that we come from different cultural backgrounds, so we make allowances for our differences and approach situations with empathy and patience. 

This understanding allows us to navigate any challenges that arise more smoothly.