Sanctions have not spared any sector including tourism

Harry Peter Wilson 

Zimbabwe, a land of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, has long been a treasure trove for tourists and investors. However, the country’s potential has been overshadowed by the significant impact of illegal sanctions imposed on its economy. 

These sanctions have cast a dark cloud over the nation’s tourism and investment sectors, unleashing a cascade of economic hardships and challenges.

In tourism, the ramifications have been profound. Since the turn of the century, Zimbabwe’s tourist industry has been grappling with a decline in arrivals and room occupancies. The once-thriving tourist destinations have witnessed a sobering drop in visitors. A considerable portion of these international tourists were high spenders, accounting for 27 percent of all travellers before the sanctions took hold in 1999. Now, these high-value visitors represent a mere 14 percent of Zimbabwe’s tourist demographic.

Sanctions have sounded the death knell for resort towns like Kariba, once active with life and effervescence. Today, these towns, once havens of leisure, stand as silent witnesses to the dwindling numbers of visitors.

The repercussions extend beyond tourist arrivals; they have triggered a web of consequences. As Zimbabwe gained notoriety in the global context due to these sanctions, travellers found it challenging to secure travel insurance from their home countries. Many insurance companies labelled Zimbabwe as an unsafe destination, and potential visitors were discouraged by the perception of risk. The issuance of travel warnings by Zimbabwe’s key source markets, including the US, UK, Germany, and Australia, further fuelled these negative perceptions. This approach disregarded the United Nations World Tourism Code of Ethics, which encourages engagement with the country in question and clear indication of the specific areas affected by the advisory.

Investments in Zimbabwe’s burgeoning tourism sector have also borne the brunt of these illegal sanctions. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the United States closely scrutinises international financial transactions destined for Zimbabwe. This stringent oversight has deterred investors, hampering the growth and development of the tourism industry.

Furthermore, sanctions have reached into various facets of Zimbabwe’s economy, including the country’s ability to secure international loans and credit facilities from major financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. This dearth of foreign currency has stymied the importation of goods and services, adding to the already considerable challenges faced by the nation.

Moreover, accessibility for tourists has been compromised as sanctions have caused a sharp decline in direct flights to Zimbabwe. In the years leading up to 1999, Zimbabwe was a hub for approximately 42 regional and international airlines. However, the imposition of sanctions triggered a substantial drop in direct flights, making it more challenging for tourists to reach this attractive destination.

Zimbabwe’s tourism and investment sectors, once the lifeblood of its economy, are left grappling with the shadows cast by these sanctions. The potential for growth and prosperity remains, but it’s a potential that can only truly be realised when these obstacles are removed, allowing the nation to once again shine on the global stage.