Published: 05 September 2013

Zimbabwe recorded a 12 percent increase in tourist arrivals in the first half of the year, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

A total of 859 995 tourists have visited the country during the first half of the year compared to 767 393 during the same period last year. ZTA said increasing regional trade and commerce contributed immensely to this growth in arrivals, through the activities of business tourists, cross border traders and transiting tourists, mostly drawn from the DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

Arrivals from mainland Africa went up by 11percent from 675 727 in 2012 to 749 301, with South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia contributing over 70 percent of all arrivals from this region.

Asia also recorded a 60 percent growth in arrivals into Zimbabwe with China rapidly becoming the major engine driving global tourism, having generated 83 million trips to all parts of the world in 2012 and continues to grow.

"Arrivals from China grew by about three times as much in 2013 as in 2012, yielding a whopping 310 percent growth," said ZTA.

Europe recorded a 26 percent growth in arrivals with United Kingdom growing by 72 percent and France 76 percent being the star performers from this region.

The Americas declined by 3percent, having fallen from 24 462 in 2012 to 23 764 on the background of a 6 percent decline in USA arrivals.
- herald

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