Zimbabwe Receives US$600 Million From Tourism In 2022

Zimbabwe received approximately US$600 million from the tourism sector in 2022 as the sector is regaining momentum following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The southern African nation recorded a 96 per cent increase in domestic entries into national parks, The Sunday News reported citing Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs Godfrey Koti. In a podcast last week, Koti said:

In addition, overseas arrivals increased by 256 percent and there was a 130 percent increase in visitors from Africa. As a result, destination Zimbabwe received approximately US$600 million compared to US$244 million in the same period the 2021 while US$300 million was poured in on investment.

Koti said the tourism industry experienced a boom following the opening up of global markets and relaxed travel restrictions owing to reduced Covid-19 pandemic infections.

In the same podcast, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) president Mr Wengayi Nhau said the festive season was one of the best in the last three years primarily because business seemed to have returned to the old good days.

He said of key interest was the domestic tourism numbers that continue to grow showing the importance of the local market.

Nhau commended regional and international tourists that were also coming into the country after a long period and also urged Zimbabweans in the diaspora to tap into the markets.

According to the ZTA report released in December 2022 that presented the January to September performance highlights in 2022, the country witnessed an increase of 165 per cent tourist arrivals.

A notable increase was expected in arrivals from the fourth quarter since August which marked the beginning of the peak season for tourism.

Meanwhile, presenting the 2023 National Budget Statement last year in November, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said Zimbabwe received US$337.5 million during the first half of 2022, an increase of 121 per cent compared to the same period in 2021.

He projected 2023 tourism receipts at US$623 million.

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