Online Reporter
Zimbabwe’s tourism surge in 2024–25, with over 1,6 million international arrivals fuelled by improved air links and expanding hospitality sector, reflects the revival of global travel confidence in the country.
Enhanced flight connectivity and upgraded hotel, lodge and resort infrastructure have unlocked fresh opportunities for visitors exploring Zimbabwe’ wildlife‑rich parks, vibrant cultural hubs and scenic wilderness.
The increase in international tourists signals one of the most dynamic post‑pandemic recoveries in Africa.
Air access has been bolstered by carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines and regional partners, while the hospitality industry has responded with a surge of investment, new openings and luxury‑meets‑eco accommodation.
The post-Covid-19 years have been the most impressive for the Zimbabwe tourism sector. The country is known for its gorgeous landscapes, impressive wildlife, and various cultural offerings.
International travellers are once again visiting Zimbabwe in record numbers, and for the first time, the country has attracted over 1.6 million passengers. Ethiopian Airlines has improved visitor experience during this tourism boom, and, coupled to the improved visitor experience, the airline has expanded its connectivity and brought access to the country.
The tourism boom has attracted many tourists and Zimbabwe is now a priority destination to travel to within Africa. The rebound in tourism is due to the expanding traveller networks and the increasing demand for hospitality such as hotels in the country.
The increase in international arrivals to Zimbabwe has been impressive, to say the least, with the number exceeding 1.6 million in 2024. This increase shows that the country is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Zimbabwe is being recognised and improving its infrastructure, both on the international and domestic fronts.
Zimbabwe was recently named the “Best Country to Visit In 2025,” by Forbes magazine, which shows that interest in traveling to the country is growing.
Increased flight searches are also helping to swell the number of arrivals. Ethiopian Airlines and other major carriers have added more flights, and therefore more connections to Zimbabwe. These flights make it easier for travellers to choose Zimbabwe on their trips.
Now the United States is also the largest source of arrivals to Zimbabwe, with the UK and Germany both formerly being the largest. The United States also has a broad, diverse base of travellers which is leading to an increase in safari wildlife experiences in the Hwange National Park, in addition to other cultural experiences. Travellers from other countries also feed the interest in Zimbabwe’s exceptional tourism offerings.
The expansion of the air market has been one of the key drivers for the recovery of the tourism market in Zimbabwe. Ethiopian Airlines and its government have worked together to enable travel to Zimbabwe by opening and operating flights to and from the important global travel hub of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines operates daily flights to Harare and Victoria Falls, allowing the company to serve tourists coming from all continents to Zimbabwe.
For years, Ethiopian Airlines, and other airlines to a lesser degree, have been the main have been the key partners for the African continent in the field of tourism, and the surge in the number of flights to Harare and Victoria Falls has saw the number of foreign tourists to Zimbabwe increasing as well.
Being one of the biggest, and most reputable airlines in the world, and in Ethiopia in particular, Ethiopian Airlines serves multiple key global markets including Europe, the US, and Asia and affords travellers to Zimbabwe the highest level of service.
Air Zimbabwe has also made an impact on the sector’s growth as well. Though the airline is still in the process of recovering from the economic turmoil of the past, it is beginning to expand its flight schedule to major airports in the region.
For instance, the route from Zimbabwe to South Africa is becoming more popular because of the increase in the number of users.
This is because the new travellers on the route are looking to visit Zimbabwe’s top tourist attraction — the Victoria Falls. Along with Fastjet, which also services the Southern Africa region with low-cost and reliable flights, these airlines are doing an invaluable service to the public.
As the number of flights increases, the number of new route and destinations also increases. The number of connecting flights to Zimbabwe is increasing, allowing tourist from other countries to visit and enjoy the new attractions. This is going to provide significant and positive growth to the tourism and travel sector in the country.
Apart from new flight schedules, the country has also made major improvements in the hospitality sector, including reception services, which in the past years have received major improvements to ensure world-class services are provided to travellers.
The past several years have also seen the construction of new hotels, lodges and resorts that have resulted in the sector stimulating a new wave of investments.
These changes have resulted in the hospitality sector being able to cater for travellers from all classified budget groups, to the super luxury travellers.
Travelling around Zimbabwe and its magical landscape has just became easier and more comfortable with several new hotels opening, and more on the way.
Expanding their services to Zimbabwe are well-known international operators who are opening upscale hotels in Harare and Victoria Falls. Located in the heart of safari country with a view of the Zambezi River and offering safari lodge tours, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a leader in premium safari hospitality.
But for the a traveller on a tighter budget, there is new eco-lodges, boutique hotels and guest houses in the major tourist centres. Zimbabwe now offers just the right lodging to compliment the outdoor beauty, whether to take safari or on a cultural tour to the many historic landmarks. Zimbabwe’s unequalled beauty now is complimented with a hospitality.
Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks, and other wildlife parks across the country, offer some of the most extraordinary and varied wildlife on the planet.
Luxury safari lodges in the national parks provide exclusive wildlife experiences, including visits to see the Big Five. These lodges are becoming more popular as more tourists to Africa seek out wildlife experiences.
Also important in the recovery of tourism in Zimbabwe has been the upgrading of infrastructure. Renovated international airports like Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and Victoria Falls International Airport have also been important in tourism recovery.
Modern terminals offer tourists better services, and smoother immigration procedures provide a better experience for tourists visiting Zimbabwe for the first time.
Many long-haul travellers choose Ethiopian Airlines for their Ethiopian and Zimbabwe flights.
The airline flies every day from Addis Ababa to Harare, and works well for travellers from Europe, North America, and Asia. Ethiopian Airlines has great connections for people flying from New York, London, or Dubai.
Air Zimbabwe offers flights throughout the region, and has direct flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. It is a great flight option for tourists from the neighbouring countries. Fastjet and Airlink fly into Zimbabwe and provide good flight service to Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia.
The impact of tourism on Zimbabwe’s economy has been immense in large part due to the contribution in the form of the country’s GDP as well as the employment opportunities that have been created.
This also serves to validate how tourism is able to facilitate the livelihood of the economically disadvantaged of the country.
In 2024, tourism made up 17 percent of the country’s GDP growth, and this growth will continue in 2025 as the world becomes more aware of Zimbabwe’s attractions. The sector also creates thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the hospitality, transport, and tour guiding industries.
Small communities surrounding rich tourism sites such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park have greatly benefited. The cultural demand from clients has small souvenir shops and restaurants now frequented by tourists. This demand has greatly improved the local economy.
Lastly, the growth of Zimbabwe tourism in 2024 and the projected growth in 2025 also speaks to the determination of Zimbabwe to unlock the tourism potential to the country. Focus on sustainable tourism has also firmly position the country as one of the leading tourism countries in Africa.
Whether you choose a safari, hiking, or chilling in some natural relaxation, Zimbabwe really has it all.
This article was originally published by travelandtourworld.com
