Tanzania has been benefited from tourism and associated hotel business. Among a large number of hotels and lodges, Mafia Island Hotels and Lodge is very popular among tourists. Out of today's hotels in Mafia Island, the first one was built in the 1960s which replaced the old Fishing Club. This old club used to attract big fishermen from foreign countries for long years. Mafia Island Hotels in Tanzania has been privatized recently and are on up gradation plan
Two other hotels have again been structured as expansion of Mafia Island Hotels in the same place of the island, Utende. The first one is Pole Pole Bungalow Resort. The second hotel is Kinasi. Among recent Mafia Island Hotels, the third hotel is Chole Mjini on Chole Island.
Majority of these Mafia Island Hotels are owned by non-Tanzanians. These are also managed specially by them. A few local Mafia Island Hotels are there catering to Tanzanian visitors to view the island. These are made cheap boarding. To name a few, Harbor View at the harbor in Kilindoni, the New Lizu in Kilindoni and Kilimani Hotel at Kilimani on Chole Island are gaining popularity.
Hotels in Mafia Island is boasted of representing eco-tourism. Certainly, majority of the hotels help the economy in the locality, many hoteliers try to make the tourists spend more. The Chole Mjini Lodge, one of the best Mafia Island Hotels support the economy of the local people and help in project development in the true sense of the term.
