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According to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority first quarter arrivals from Africa rose 14 percent to 257 000 compared to 35 786 from overseas. Overseas tourist arrivals rose from 26 803 to 35 786.
The increase in arrivals from overseas has been attributed to an encouraging stability in the global economy as well as the general growth in world travel trends.
ZTA noted the most increases were recorded in arrivals from Angola, Malawi and Ghana. Angola contributed 1 207 in 2011 from 188 in 2010.
Arrivals from Malawi rose from 9 842 in 2010 to 48 829 in 2011 while Ghana recorded a significant rise to 834 compared to a mere 172 in 2010.
ZTA said there was also a general increase in arrivals from the region to South Africa and these came from Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya.
ZTA spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda atttributed the increase in arrivals from Africa to the aggressive marketing and the prevailing stable political situation in the country.
“Most of our tourists come from neighboring countries and the African source market is dominating the international market.
The increase in regional tourists is attributed to the strategic marketing campaigns in source markets as well as change in terms of perception of tourists about Zimbabwe’s politics since the formation of the inclusive government,” he said
Tourist arrivals from the Americas increased by 27 percent in 2011 with the biggest increases being recorded in South American region. USA remains the dominating market with 81percent share of tourist arrivals from the Americas followed by Brazil at 6 percent and Canada 6percent.
For Asia, China has over taken Japan as the largest source market after it contributed 33 percent, from 29 percent in 2010.
Europe also experienced an increase in its visitors to Zimbabwe from 11 351 in 2010 to 14 496 in 2011, which could a result of the now slowly improving macro-economic economic conditions in Europe.
The UK remains the dominant market share leader among European countries with 30 percent share of arrivals from European.
The Middle East was one of the markets, which showed significant growth managing a 110 percent increase in tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe.
This is despite the fact that the market had relatively lower arrivals as compared to other regions.
Arrivals from the Oceania market registered an 18 percent increase in an overcall trend that shows increases in arrivals from most source markets.
Australia remains a leading traditional source market with 65 percent share followed by the New Zealand at 26percent.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter