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Oliver Kazunga Business Reporter
THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) projects that international tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe will grow by four percent in the long-term on the back of renewed interest from the country’s major source markets. In the first quarter, the country recorded a 17 percent increase in tourist arrivals with all major markets registering increases.
Tourists arrivals in the first quarter stood at 404 282 up from 346 299 in 2012, reflecting that the country was witnessing improved destination image.
According to a recent 2013 first quarter report on tourist arrivals trend and statistics released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the UNWTO forecasts continued growth in international tourism during the year, although at a rather slower rate than previously envisaged.
“Arrivals are expected to increase by four percent according to long-term projections by the international board. With the rejuvenation of the country’s major markets, arrivals into Zimbabwe are expected to ride on this positive trend throughout the year. This is so especially considering the current performance of markets like the United Kingdom (UK), France, China and South Korea.
“Positive trends in 2013 are also expected to hinge on the improved accessibility, however, the impending elections to an extent may hinder good performance by the tourism sector, being one of the most sensitive economic sectors,” said the report.
UK continues to dominate all other European markets with its market share almost doubling from 24 percent in 2012 to 41 percent in 2013.
“The dominance of this market continues to show strong ties between the British and Zimbabwe.
“The prominent increase in arrivals from the UK to a great extent reveals the increase in holidaymakers taking more than one holiday this year as sited by the World Travel Market report.”
ZTA revealed that UK in the first quarter accounted for 12 876 tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe.
The United States of America which accounted for 8 550 tourists has been overtaken by UK as the dominating overseas market for Zimbabwe during the period under review. “The UK increased its arrivals to Zimbabwe by almost three times. This is a possible return of UK as the largest overseas market for Zimbabwe as was traditionally known until 2005 when the United States took over. France, China and South Korea are some of the rising markets in the review period,” said ZTA in the report.
China has during the period under review exhibited an impressive performance registering a 165 percent increase to 3 714 tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe.
“This mirrors the general increase in Chinese outbound in the first quarter (16 percent) although it should be noted that arrivals to Zimbabwe are a mere 0,02 percent of the 22,6 million Chinese outbound tourists in the first quarter of 2013. The Chinese trend is expected to continue on the rise well beyond 2020.”
Online Reporter