from DANIEL JONES in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
VICTORIA FALLS, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE has reported a 50 percent growth in tourist arrivals and a 16 percent growth in revenue generated in the sector in the first half of the year.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) attributed the growth to vigorous marketing investment initiatives as a result of the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra championed by the government.
Tourist arrivals increased to 529 078 in the first six months of 2023. Tourism receipts grew by 16 percent to US$343,1 million (R6.517 billion) compared to the same period last year, ZTA stated.
The tourism parastatal said during the period, investment into the sector grew by almost 100 percent to $96,5 million (R1.8 billion).
“ZTA attributes the sector’s continued positive performance to various marketing and investment initiatives,” ZTA stated.
There were 133 776 arrivals from overseas. The number rose to 148 340 between January and June this year.
From Africa, arrivals rose from 232 286 in 2022 to 443 184 until June this year.
Average hotel room occupancy also rose from 39 percent in the first half of 2022 to 41 percent during the same period this year.
However, domestic tourism has gone down slightly with estimated trips amounting to 4 466 739 between January and June this year, compared to 4 721 973 last year.
Estimated tourism receipts rose from $343,1 million between January and June last year to $397,7 during the same period this year.
Meanwhile, preparations have started for the 2023 edition of the
Sanganayi/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to be held in Bulawayo between October 12 and 14.
Zimbabwe is emerging from years of negative publicity and the COVID-19, which impacted on the tourism industry.
– CAJ News