Zimbabwe: The tourism industry of Zimbabwe records over one million tourists in nine months, between January and September, in the year 2023. The industry has seen a 52% growth as compared to the year 2022 and its objective is to become a US $5 billion economy by the end of next year.
The industry is anticipating that 2024 will bring better fortunes. This year, the country will attend various meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions agenda.
Moreover, it will also host the 56th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Conference in Victoria Falls next month in February.
The Uripi/Ungaphi initiative taken by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is a part of the ZimBho domestic tourism campaign, which had a great impact.
It has significantly affected attracting tourists to the country’s prime tourism destination of Victoria Falls, where thousands of foreigners and locals attend a three-day Mapopoma Festival.
The Chairman of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe – Farai Chimba that for the major tourism hub of Victoria Falls, Christmas was dominated by the local market.
He mentioned that the country has seen a positive response during the festive season and created awareness of the Urip/Ungaphi campaign by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
He added that from Jan 2023 to Sept 2023, the nation had recorded an average national occupancy of 43%. Most of the operators were affected by the build-up during the election period between July and August, as the business took a downturn but recovered after conducting the peaceful elections.
In total, the tourism industry received 1,087,445 passengers. Considering the same, minister Chimba said that the growing diversity of products was introduced around the country, from leisure centres to activities anchored by investment in accommodation services.
They continuously appealed to the clients and over US $139,3 million was invested in the facilities despite being lower than the US $306,7 million invested in 2022.
Minister Chimba also said that the officials will continue to work to sustain the industry. He added that it is positive that key conferences are being arranged and will put the country on the must-visit map that will begin with the UNECA conference in February after a successful ICASA conference held this year.
For smooth work, all operators need to be registered and statistics need to be submitted that can collate and measure performance for accommodation services accurately, added Farai Chimba.
He also mentioned that the industry needs to grow more and make it to the US $5 billion tourism economy by the year 2025.
Recently, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry – Barbara Rowdzi said that the government was working on some initiative that will compel all investors and operators to register with ZTA before starting any further operation.