Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
Zimbabwe received a total of 1 381 554 arrivals during the third quarter of 2025, with figures showing a marked increase in holiday and business travel, further cementing the country’s status as a tourist destination of choice.
According to the Third Quarter International Migration Report reased on Wednesday, the number of holiday visitors rose from 217 651 in the same period last year to 256 143 during the quarter under review, representing an increase of about 18 percent.
The report details information on the movement of Zimbabwean residents and foreign nationals who entered the country through official ports of entry during the third quarter of 2025.
“Returning residents from abroad (62%) constituted the highest proportion of arrivals during the third quarter of 2025,” reads part of the report.
It shows that there were 520 751 visitors from abroad who came to Zimbabwe during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 454 043 in the same quarter in 2024, representing an increase of about 15 percent.
“There were 860 803 residents returning from abroad during the third quarter of 2025 compared to 791 104 in the third quarter of 2024. This indicates an increase of 8.8 percent.”
The report notes that visitors entered Zimbabwe using air, rail and road transport, with the majority opting for road travel.
“The modes of travel used by visitors to Zimbabwe were air, rail and road. The majority (64.96%) of visitors used road transport when entering Zimbabwe.”
Air travel also recorded significant growth.
“The number of visitors coming to Zimbabwe who used air for their travel during the third quarter of 2025 was 182 289 representing 35 percent of all arriving visitors.
“The volume of visitors who arrived by air increased by about 43 percent from 127 529 in the third quarter of 2024.
“The majority (63%) of visitors who used air came through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport followed by Victoria Falls Airport (32%) and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (6%).”
A total of 338 269 arrivals, constituting about 65 percent of total arrivals, used road transport to enter Zimbabwe during the third quarter of 2025.
This was an increase from the 326 348 arrivals recorded at road ports of entry during the same period in 2024. Most of the visitors who entered by road came through Beitbridge (75 116), followed by Forbes (66 761) and Victoria Falls Road (64 064).
During the quarter under review, the country also recorded an increase in in-transit visitors.
“During the third quarter of 2025, there were 124 784 in-transit visitors compared to 120 501 during the same quarter in 2024 representing an increase of about 4 percent.”
Business travel showed notable growth.
“The number of arriving visitors who came for business purposes increased by close to 43 percent from quarter ending September 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2025.
“The number increased from 82 454 to 118 496.”
However, visitors who came for educational purposes declined sharply.
“Visitors who came to Zimbabwe for educational purposes in the third quarter of 2025 decreased by 76 percent from the third quarter of 2024.”
There were 2 438 education visitors during the quarter ending September 2025, compared to 10 237 in the same period last year.
ZimStat Director-General Mr Tafadzwa Bandama said the report provides critical insights into international mobility trends.
“These data offer valuable insights into the volume and patterns of international mobility in the country.
“International migration statistics play a critical role in national planning and policy formulation.
“They contribute essential inputs for estimating population growth, generating key indicators for migration and quantifying the magnitude and direction of migration flows.”
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, through the Department of Immigration, collects information on arrivals and departures at official ports of entry and exit using port returns and immigration statistical cards.
Matabeleland South has the highest number of ports of entry and exit at six, followed by Matabeleland North with four, while Mashonaland East, Midlands and Bulawayo each have one.
The sustained growth in arrivals, particularly holiday and business visitors, underscores Zimbabwe’s rising appeal and strengthens its position as a preferred destination for tourism and travel in the region.
