Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE raked in close to US$1 billion from tourism this year, with the sector generating approximately US$922 million between January and September 2025, an increase of 10 percent from the US$839 million recorded over the same period in 2024.
The strong performance is being driven by rising international arrivals and a surge in domestic travel, the Government has announced.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi disclosed the latest statistics on Thursday while officially opening the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Summit and Annual General Meeting in Harare.
She said international arrivals grew by 9 percent during the first nine months of the year, with most visitors coming from the Americas, Africa and Asia.
Domestic tourism also recorded impressive growth, rising by 20.9 percent over the same period.
“These statistics are encouraging signs that our recovery is gaining positive traction and, yes, we continue to work diligently to reshape international perceptions. But future-proofing requires more than recovery – it demands transformation,” said Minister Rwodzi.
“Tourism is more than a leisure pursuit; it is a strategic pillar for the attainment of Vision 2030 – our national aspiration for an empowered upper-middle-income society, as led by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa.
“It creates jobs for our youth, markets for our farmers, and opportunities for our creative industries.”
“Every tourist arrival is not just a statistic — it is a potential ambassador, investor, and storyteller for Zimbabwe.”
Minister Rwodzi also praised First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for championing Zimbabwe’s gastronomy tourism, which she said had added a distinctive culinary identity to the national tourism product.
“Let us invest in the youth who will manage tomorrow’s hotels, design tomorrow’s experiences, and lead tomorrow’s destinations,” she said.
“A tourist’s journey begins long before they reach our front desk — it begins on a road, a runway, or a mobile network.
“Reliable transport, power and internet are no longer luxuries — they are the arteries of competitiveness.”
Minister Rwodzi said that while Zimbabwe is globally renowned for the Victoria Falls, the world must also come to know its rich culture, cuisine, music and warm people.
She added that the ZimBho domestic tourism campaign remains central in encouraging Zimbabweans to explore their own country.
She urged stronger collaboration between Government and the private sector to sustain growth, noting that tourism fees had been reduced by up to 50 percent in some categories to lower operating costs and bolster competitiveness.
“My clarion call to all of you is that future-proofing cannot be achieved by the Government alone.
“It is in this spirit that the tourism fees were reduced by up to 50 percent on some levies and permits to boost competitiveness and lower operating costs in the industry.
“The private sector — represented here by HAZ — is the engine of creativity, investment, and service excellence,” she said.
