Increased inbound flights raise tourist visits by 36pc
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Prof Mthuli Ncube, in his 2024 Mid-Term Budget Review, said the country saw a first quarter 36 percent increase in tourist arrivals as a result of more inbound flights into the country.
“International tourist arrivals into the country increased by 36 percent to record 370 190 arrivals compared to the same period in 2023. Most source markets registered growth with arrivals from Oceania of 256 percent more than doubling,” Mthuli said.
According to the 2024 Mid-Term Budget Review, the surge in inbound international tourist arrivals is attributable to the continued recovery in tourism in the region and globally, coupled with increase in airlines into the country, as well as sustained promotion of Zimbabwe as tourism destination.
“Growth of the tourism sector has significantly improved and is now projected at 12 percent on account of positive developments experienced in the global and domestic tourism industry during the first half of 2024,” Mthuli said.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO), international tourism is expected to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. International arrivals (overnight visitors) reached 97 percent of 2019 levels in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an almost complete recovery to pre-pandemic levels.
It comes after South African airline FlySafair began flights to Harare and Victoria Falls from Johannesburg in October last year after obtaining permission from the International Air Services Council.
Another airline Cemair began flying into Harare and Victoria Falls on August 1, 2023 after Airlink launched direct flights between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg and Ethopian Airlines launched Heathrow – Bulawayo flights.
Bulawayo, is a gateway to Matobo National Park, and an ideal staging point for Hwange National Park and Vic Falls. Bulawayo is Ethiopia’s third destination in Zimbabwe along with Harare and Vic Falls.
Uganda Airlines will also begin inbound flights linking Harare to Entebe four times a week beginning September 25, 2024, adding to the many flights coming into the country.
Mthuli said, “Tourism receipts are estimated to have increased by 35 percent from US$178 million, to US$241 million in the first quarter of 2024 on the back of growth in both international and domestic tourist arrivals.”
Zimbabwe has demonstrated capacity to host global events including conferences which have enabled expansion of the tourism industry. In this regard, the country is hosting the Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Victoria Falls.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry was supported with an amount of ZiG 35,5 million for administrative operations during the first half of 2024.
Investments in local tourism in 2023 came from both local and foreign investors.
A total of US$300 million was poured in on investment within the sector with new facilities in restaurants, hotels, lodges, safaris and game parks dominating.
Mr Matamisa in May 2024 told The Sunday Mail Business that there has been notable investments in the sector since the covid era and now they should begin seeing many joints being operational.
“We surely have seen a number of investments in the sector, be it new resorts or upgrading of the existing ones in order to stay abreast with the current trends. We have seen new lodges around the country and many game parks have been upgraded across the country,” Mr Matamisa said.
Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is expected to reach US$5 billion by 2025 and experts believe the target is attainable with the month of January setting the tempo.
-ebusinessweekly
