In a remarkable feat of recovery, Zimbabwe’s tourism industry witnessed a substantial surge in revenue, reaching an impressive $1.1 billion in 2023. This marked a significant 22 percent increase from the previous year, reflecting a robust resurgence following the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the lifting of travel restrictions and national lockdowns by the World Health Organisation in 2022, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and that of the globe have been on a major rebound as people visited the country on business and educational missions, as well as leisure activities like safari hunting and sporting.
Prior to the pandemic, Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts were US$1.25 billion in 2018, while arrivals were at an all-time high of 2.6 million.
Since the lifting of travel restrictions and national lockdowns by the World Health Organisation in 2022, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and that of the globe have been on a major rebound as people visited the country on business and educational missions, as well as leisure activities like safari hunting and sporting.
Prior to the pandemic, Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts were US$1.25 billion in 2018, while arrivals were at an all-time high of 2.6 million.
Tourists arriving at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe airport in Harare, Zimbabwe
According to statistics leaked to this publication from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the tourists were mainly from the traditional source markets — Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Under President Mnangagwa’s pro-business policies, there has been an increase in international tourist arrivals, largely attributed to the various promotional initiatives such as the Visit Zimbabwe and the ZimBho campaigns by the tourism authority.
Credit also goes to increased efforts, spearheaded by the tourism body, in promoting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
Under President Mnangagwa’s pro-business policies, there has been an increase in international tourist arrivals, largely attributed to the various promotional initiatives such as the Visit Zimbabwe and the ZimBho campaigns by the tourism authority.
Credit also goes to increased efforts, spearheaded by the tourism body, in promoting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
A tourist enjoying the moment on a canopy walk.
In May last year, ZTA signed an agreement with an aviation giant, Emirates, to further boost inbound tourist arrivals and develop traffic into the country utilizing the strength of the airline’s global reach.
In an interview, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president Mr Wengayi Nhau said, from the available international tourist arrival statistics, the country’s tourism sector is on a sound path to recovery.
"There is quite a lot of improvement in terms of arrivals, in terms of the money generated and people are spending a little bit longer than they were spending before the pre-pandemic period.
In an interview, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president Mr Wengayi Nhau said, from the available international tourist arrival statistics, the country’s tourism sector is on a sound path to recovery.
"There is quite a lot of improvement in terms of arrivals, in terms of the money generated and people are spending a little bit longer than they were spending before the pre-pandemic period.
Chinhoyi - Outdoor at the Chinhoyi Caves suitable for game viewing and birdwatching
Source: Atqnews.com