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Business Reporter

Global rating agency, Fitch Solutions has projected Zimbabwe’s tourist arrivals to continue on an upward trend and to surpass the previous most recent peak reached in 2018.

Tourist arrival in Zimbabwe peaked at an all-time high of 2,6 million in 2018 with the growth in arrivals driven by significant growth in arrivals from all source regions and major international markets.

“Tourism in Zimbabwe will grow at a strong pace in 2022, signalling a recovery from the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Fitch Solutions said in its report on Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

The rating agency said that international arrivals will more than double from 2021 as more confidence in coronavirus management supports increased travel.

Fitch however warned that despite the upbeat forecast for tourism activity, the country’s economic outlook remains challenged due to inflation risk and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which could weigh on private consumption.

“Over the course of the medium term, we expect tourism arrivals to continue rising and surpass the previous recent peak of 2018,” said Fitch.

The tourism industry was the most affected by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw global economies restricting travel, airlines grounded flights and this left millions of people losing employment.

In Zimbabwe, the industry describes the period as one of the darkest patches in the country’s tourism industry.

That followed Government interventions, which include decisions to ground airlines and restrict international travel to stem contagion as the Covid-19 scourge.

However, after a two-year lapse which was caused by Covid-19, the industry has shown signs of recovery.  In that regard, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) will this year October host the physical edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo.

The expo, which has been set for 13 – 15 October 2022, will have participating exhibitors from countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi have since confirmed their participation.

Government has since made significant progress on the implementation of the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy, which seeks to grow the tourism economy to US$5 billion by 2025.

President Mnangagwa in August 2020 launched the tourism growth plan as he led the re-start of the sector’s contribution to the national economy after having been heavily crippled by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy is anchored on Zimbabwe’s vision to be a prime international tourist destination based in the judicious and sustainable exploitation of the unique assets of nature, culture, heritage and the built environment.

The strategy is informed by the Government’s Vision 2030 to become an upper middle income economy characterised by increased investment, decent jobs and a populace free from poverty and corruption.