VF Q1 tourist arrivals up 16pc

ZIMBABWE has recorded a 16 percent rise in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of the year to 450 572 after registering 387 557 during the same period last year, statistics from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) show.

ZTA indicated that all the country’s major source markets reported growth in arrivals, except the Oceania region. The tourism authority said most African source markets saw arrivals rising except for South Africa, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

“Arrivals from mainland Africa increased 11 percent to 380 790 from 343 644 in 2015. Most African countries with the exception of South Africa, Zambia, DRC and Tanzania recorded increases during the quarter. South Africa and DRC fell marginally by two percent and four percent respectively,” said ZTA. Zambia and Tanzania fell substantially by 16 percent and 20 percent respectively.

“European arrivals into Zimbabwe rose by 28 percent to 27 433 from 21 496 in 2015. Major European countries (Benelux, France, Germany, Spain, Austria) recorded increases except for Britain and Ireland that fell by 10 percent. The fringe European markets also registered decreases, Portugal 30 percent, Switzerland 21 percent, Nordic countries 14 percent and Italy 10 percent.

ZTA indicated that tourist arrivals from the Americas increased by 120 percent during the period under review, which had 22 620 compared to 10 294 arrivals in 2014. This growth was buoyed by Zimbabwe’s biggest market in the Americas region. Tourists from the United States rose by a massive 117 percent to 19 475 in 2016 compared to 8 972 in 2015.

ZTA also indicated that arrivals from Asia increased by 157 percent to 14 004 in 2016 from 5 441 in 2015. “The Asian region followed the growth pattern of the Americas, wherein all major markets grew significantly, except for Pakistan which fell by 53 percent,” said the tourism authority.

Source: Q1 tourist arrivals up 16pc (03/08/16)