By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with tourist arrivals climbing to 1.61 million in 2024 and receipts growing to US$1.18 billion, according to the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Mr. Farai Chimba.
Presenting his statement at ZTA‘s inaugural Annual General Meeting held on 17 June 2026 in Harare, Mr Chimba painted a picture of steady recovery and renewed confidence in Destination Zimbabwe.
“According to the United Nations Tourism Barometer, international tourism continued to regain momentum, with Africa emerging as one of the best-performing regions globally,” Mr Chimba said.
“This positive trend provided Zimbabwe with an opportunity to strengthen its position as a preferred tourism destination and leverage growing international travel demand.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
Tourist arrivals increased from approximately 1.6 million in 2023 to 1.61 million in 2024, while tourism receipts grew from US$1.16 billion to US$1.18 billion over the same period.
Mr Chimba noted that these achievements reflect sustained confidence in Destination Zimbabwe and underscore the sector’s significant contribution to economic growth, employment creation, foreign currency generation, and community development.
“These achievements reflect sustained confidence in Destination Zimbabwe and underscore the sector’s significant contribution to economic growth, employment creation, foreign currency generation and community development,” he said.
Sector Resilience Amid Challenges
The Chairman acknowledged that the sector experienced some challenges arising from broader macroeconomic developments and currency transitions. However, he noted that operators continued to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.
“The gradual recovery of international travel, coupled with growing domestic tourism, provided a solid foundation for sustained growth,” Mr Chimba said.
Improved Business Performance
The tourism industry recorded improved business performance during the period, supported by increasing room occupancies and renewed activity across tourism establishments.
This positive trend, Mr Chimba noted, reflects growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism offering and the sector’s ability to attract both international and domestic visitors.
Looking Ahead: A Positive Outlook
Chimba expressed optimism about the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
“Looking ahead, the prospects for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector remain positive. Continued recovery in global tourism demand, increased investment opportunities and the country’s rich natural and cultural attractions position the sector for further expansion,” he said.
The Board, Mr Chimba stated, remains committed to strengthening governance systems, enhancing operational efficiency, supporting destination development, and fostering strategic partnerships that will contribute to the achievement of national development objectives.
Strategic Focus for Growth
Throughout the period under review, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority remained focused on its mandate of promoting and developing tourism through strategic destination marketing, market diversification, stakeholder engagement, and product development initiatives.
The Authority continued to strengthen partnerships with both public and private sector stakeholders to enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in regional and international tourism markets.
A Foundation for the Future
As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 aspirations of becoming an empowered upper-middle-income economy, tourism is expected to play an increasingly central role.
The sector’s ability to generate foreign currency, create jobs, and stimulate investment across multiple value chains makes it a strategic pillar of national development.
“We remain committed to advancing Zimbabwe’s tourism agenda, strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy and ensuring that tourism continues to serve as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive development,” Mr Chimba concluded.
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