Zimbabwe tourist figures reach newer heights

Monday, December 3, 2018

Zimbabwe’s top resort town, Victoria Falls, has welcomed record number of visitors with huge number of forward bookings, according to Africa Albida Tourism (AAT).

The rise equaled the visitor figures for 1999, has been recognized to the removal of police roadblocks from all the major roads of the country and other interventions like the new political dispensation. To quote Africa Albida Tourism chief executive, Ross Kennedy said interest in Zimbabwe was “unbelievable. The significance of the removal of roadblocks will be seen quickly because the Europeans used to do 15-21 days of self-drive in Zimbabwe, and now will be back”.

“In December alone, we were getting up to 1 000 visitors daily many through the Kazungula Border Post yet we have just one officer there. 2017 December was the closest we have been 1999. We also have had the best January and February ever. We are hoping if the stability continues tourism can pick up almost immediately. We have engaged other operators to donate resources to expand that border post,” he said.

“I had a full diary here (ITB Berlin) with enquiries from tourists wanting to come to Zimbabwe for longer periods. They are aware of the developments triggered in November, and are keen to return. We’ve been telling them that all is gone now.”

To quote Ross Kennedy, “Demand is high. Everyone knows that Zimbabwe is a wonderful country. We are now re-educating the international market about what to expect. They had many things they wanted to know, but hardly any political questions. Yes, fuel situation, roadblocks, quality of accommodation, infrastructure, it’s fantastic.”

« Back to Page

• UNWTO Workshop Highlights Modern Tourism Communications in Africa

• Cape Town Tourism partners with We Are Victoria Falls

• Victoria Falls receives vaccine supply for tourism promotion

• Droughts affect water flow at Victoria Falls

• Angola’s Malanje Province has immense tourism potential