adminshares to the country in the first quarter of 2013.
The United States contributed 83 percent while Canada accounted for 10 percent.
With the exception of the United States, in absolute figures all American markets recorded marginal changes with the Caribbean islands and Mexico falling by 45 and 43 percent respectively while registering declines of 32 and 15 arrivals in absolute numbers.
However, despite being impressive, the United States has been overtaken by the United Kingdom as the dominating overseas market for the country in terms of absolute numbers during the first quarter under review.
“US has been overtaken by the United Kingdom as the dominating overseas market for Zimbabwe during the period under review. The UK increased its arrivals to Zimbabwe by almost three times, recording an absolute figure of 12 876 up from 4 089 in 2012,” the tourism body said.
As such, the statistics show that Britain and Ireland now sit at number one in the top 10 overseas markets dislodging the United States who are second with France in third position, China/Hong Kong fourth while Japan completes the top five.
From the overseas top 10, it shows that China remains dominant in terms of tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe on the Asian continent.
It tops the Asian list with a figure of 3 714 during the period under review up from 1 400 from the prior period.
“It is worth noting that China overtook Japan in terms of market share during the period under review and this makes them the current largest Asian market for Zimbabwe.
“The rise of China is especially commendable considering that it is currently the world’s top tourism outbound and spending market,” added ZTA.
Regionally, South Africa also maintained its status as the key source market in Africa with a market share of 49 percent in arrivals which translates to a six percentage point increase from last year’s figure of 43 percent.
“Although South Africa registered a relative growth of 28 percent it should be noted that in absolute terms this is 37 294 which can be comparable to total arrivals from Mozambique that stood at 37 951,” said ZTA.
South Africa, therefore, remained in pole position in the top 10 for African markets while recording an absolute value of 170 327 up from 133 033.
The report also notes that in general, there has been an increase from markets within the Sadc region, particularly Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. This has largely been credited to regional trade and commerce.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter