Rutendo
Nyeve, rutendo.nyeve@sundaynews.co.zw
MORE
than
US$60
million
was
injected
into
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
sector
in
the
first
quarter
of
2026,
as
strong
growth
in
new
investment
and
rising
visitor
numbers
signalled
renewed
confidence
in
Destination
Zimbabwe.
According
to
the
Zimbabwe
Tourism
Authority
(ZTA)
Tourism
Performance
Highlights
for
the
first
quarter
of
2026,
released
yesterday,
the
sector
recorded
a
surge
in
investment
from
US$12,6
million
in
the
same
period
last
year
to
US$67,8
million
—
a
438
percent
increase
driven
largely
by
new
business
activity.
The
report
also
shows
that
international
tourist
arrivals
rose
by
11
percent
to
384
561,
while
tourism
receipts
increased
by
14
percent
to
US$251
million,
up
from
US$221
million
a
year
earlier.
Zimbabwe
Tourism
Authority
The
strong
performance
reflects
growing
global
interest
in
Zimbabwe
following
a
series
of
high-profile
international
accolades.
These
include
recognition
by
Forbes
Magazine
as
one
of
the
world’s
top
travel
destinations
in
2025,
as
well
as
the
Destination
of
the
Year
for
Natural
Wonders
award
at
ITB
Berlin
2026.
Tourism
and
Hospitality
Industry
Minister
Barbara
Rwodzi
was
also
named
Tourism
Minister
of
the
Year
(Africa)
at
the
same
event.
“International
tourist
arrivals
increased
by
11
percent,
from
347
555
in
2025
to
384
561,
while
tourism
receipts
grew
by
14
percent
to
US$251
million,
up
from
US$221
million,”
said
the
ZTA
in
the
report.
Domestic
tourism
also
recorded
notable
growth,
with
trips
increasing
to
an
estimated
2,62
million
from
1,94
million
in
the
first
quarter
of
2025.
The
rise
was
attributed
to
stronger
local
participation,
supported
by
social
travel,
religious
tourism
and
educational
trips
across
the
country.
Growth
in
international
tourist
arrivals
was
broad-based,
with
all
regional
markets
registering
increases.
Arrivals
from
Africa
rose
by
nine
percent,
while
overseas
markets
—
which
typically
account
for
higher
spending
tourists
—
grew
by
16
percent.
Africa
remained
the
dominant
source
market,
contributing
75
percent
of
total
arrivals,
slightly
down
from
76
percent
in
2025,
while
overseas
markets
increased
their
share
from
24
to
25
percent.
Among
African
source
markets,
Mozambique
recorded
the
highest
growth,
with
arrivals
rising
62
percent
to
62
301.
Malawi
grew
by
10
percent,
South
Africa
by
12
percent
and
Zambia
by
four
percent.
Additional
gains
were
recorded
from
Lesotho,
which
rose
22
percent,
and
Uganda,
which
increased
by
36
percent.
In
Europe,
Britain
and
Ireland
emerged
as
the
fastest
growing
market,
with
arrivals
surging
89
percent
to
13
575.
France
recorded
a
21
percent
increase,
Germany
rose
four
percent
and
the
Benelux
region
grew
by
30
percent.
However,
arrivals
declined
from
Spain
by
30
percent
and
from
Nordic
countries
by
21
percent.
From
long-haul
markets,
arrivals
from
China
and
Hong
Kong
rose
24
percent
to
10
366,
while
India
declined
by
29
percent.
Australia
posted
a
seven
percent
increase,
while
New
Zealand
recorded
a
significant
33
percent
growth.
Despite
the
strong
overall
performance,
the
ZTA
warned
that
emerging
geopolitical
tensions
are
beginning
to
weigh
on
the
sector.
“The
Iran
War
Effect:
Route
disruptions,
rising
fuel
costs,
and
reduced
inbound
tourism
by
12
percent
in
March.
The
drop
impacted
all
source
regions
with
the
overseas
markets
bearing
the
most
shock,”
reads
the
report.
The
impact
was
reflected
in
March
figures,
where
total
arrivals
were
affected
despite
earlier
gains
in
the
quarter.
February
arrivals
rose
by
27
percent
to
123
161,
but
volatility
in
global
travel
conditions
has
created
uncertainty
in
the
short
term
outlook.
The
ZTA
said
sustained
high
fuel
costs
and
continued
disruption
to
international
flight
routes
could
slow
growth
in
overseas
arrivals.
“If
fuel
costs
remain
high
and
flight
routes
are
disrupted,
overseas
arrivals
may
stagnate.
However,
regional
(African)
inbound
tourism
could
partially
offset
losses,
as
it
is
less
affected
by
long
haul
disruptions,”
said
the
agency.
Looking
ahead,
the
authority
said
Zimbabwe’s
strong
start
to
2026
and
improving
international
reputation
position
the
sector
for
further
recovery
once
global
conditions
stabilise.
To
build
resilience,
the
ZTA
recommended
reducing
dependence
on
long-haul
markets
by
intensifying
promotion
within
the
African
region.
It
also
proposed
the
development
of
more
shock-resistant
tourism
packages,
including
all-inclusive
overland
and
rail-based
itineraries,
to
cushion
the
sector
against
rising
air
transport
costs
and
external
disruptions.
Source:
ATTA
::
Zimbabwe
tourism
investment
surges
to
$678
million
in
early
2026
Post
published
in:
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