In spite of the ongoing economic challenges in Zimbabwe, the tourism sector’s performance has been positive, driven primarily by business in Victoria Falls and Harare. This is according to the latest ‘Tourism Sector Performance First Half of 2018’ report, released by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), as tourist arrivals continue to surge.
Zimbabwe’s overall tourism performance continues to be positive, and the outlook of the sector is encouraging. In terms of tourist arrivals, the country recorded 1 148 114 arrivals during the first half of 2018, up 9% from 1 057 244 recorded during the same period in 2017. This growth was largely driven by a 28% increase in overseas arrivals, which grew from 178 469 to 229 092 in 2018.
Overall arrivals to Zimbabwe increased significantly in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period last year, with Asia leading the pack with a growth rate of 59%, translating into 50 433 visitors in 2018 compared with 31 721 in 2017. European arrivals increased by 29% from 78 225 visitors in 2017 to 101 101 in 2018. America grew by 10%, from 51 401 visitors in the first half of 2017 to 56 682 for the same period in 2018. Oceania rose by 20% year-on-year, with 17 511 visitors recorded in 2018 compared with 14 616 in the first half of 2017. Arrivals from the Middle East rose 34%, from 2 506 in 2017 to 3 364 this year. Arrivals from African countries increased by 5%, from 878 775 in the first half of 2017 compared with 919 023 for the same period in 2018.
Tourist arrivals by region - First half 2018.
Asia
Arrivals from the Asian market rose 59%, making the region currently the most significant source market for Zimbabwe in the first half of 2018. The increase, according to the report, was largely driven by surges in arrivals from South Korea (122%), Japan (53%), China (24%) and India (73%). The recent upgrading of the Chinese and Indian visas is expected to continue yielding more positive results in the near future.
A number of Asian countries have had visa requirements moved from category C (visa before travel) to category B (visa on arrival). “This is a game-changer and the results are being seen already,” said Gavin Rennie, a Director of Off2Africa, a Zimbabwe-based DMC.
Europe
Arrivals from Europe rose 29%, with increases in most major markets, including the UK (19%), France (34%), and Germany (15%). Notable growth was seen from both Spain and Portugal, which each grew by 75%. Europe remains the largest overseas source region for the country with a market share of 9%, second to Africa. More than half (59%) of all European arrivals were through the Victoria Falls region, highlighting the growing contribution of the resort town to overseas arrivals into the country.
The new Victoria Falls airport has proved to be a positive development for the resort town and the destination at large. Ross Kennedy, Africa Albida Tourism Chief Executive says: “The new Victoria Falls Airport, with its geographical hub location, plus much-enhanced route access and connectivity, has played a part in the growth of the destination.”
The evidence of increased business has been more pronounced with the airport’s capacity utilisation rising from 21% to 26% in the first half of the year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. Airport arrivals rose by 31% from 39 751 to 52 248 in the same period.
On the growth of the European market, Rennie added: “Years of marketing activities in the EU are now paying dividends. Zimbabwe is now more than ever considered a safe and politically stable country to visit, with an abundance of diverse wildlife parks and cultural attractions.”
He said European travellers tended to veer toward the mainstream destinations, including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Matusadona, Mana Pools, Matopos, Gonarezhou and Great Zimbabwe. “However self-drive tourism is returning and off-the-beaten-track destinations like the Eastern Highlands and Chimanimani are seeing an increase in arrivals.”
America
US arrivals increased by 10%, with the region contributing 919 023 arrivals. According to the report, it is important to note that outbound travel from the US had slow growth, estimated at 2%. All other major markets from the Americas increased, with Canada registering 76% growth, rising from 3 664 to 6 455 arrivals in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017.
Oceania
Tourist arrivals from Oceania continue to grow, having increased by 18% from 14 616 to 17 511 in 2018. Arrivals from this region were anchored by 37% growth in arrivals from New Zealand.
Despite the direct connection that Zimbabwe has with the Middle East through Emirates Airline, arrivals from the region have remained suppressed, below 5 000. Although the Middle East continues to trail behind in its contribution to total arrivals into the country, there was a notable increase in the first half of the year. This source region recorded a 34% increase in tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe, about 76% of them from Israel.
All top overseas markets, with the exception of the US, recorded growth. The US and UK remain the top overseas source markets in-terms of volume. Canada was a new entry, which replaced the Nordic countries in the top-10 overseas markets in the first half of 2018. Germany, Australia and the Nordic countries were the shakers in the period under review.
