THE Immigration Department is clearing about 21 000 visitors every day, marking a significant increase in the number of inbound travellers after two years of low activity at ports of entry due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief director of immigration Mrs Respect Gono said five investors have visited the country so far this year to scout for investment opportunities in the tourism industry.
“We have recorded at least five investors who want to develop our tourist destination, as compared to last year, when we cleared only two,” she said.
“This is due to the drive by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism in marketing the country, which is now bringing positive results.
“These investors want to develop hotels and lodges, establish restaurants that specialise in Chinese and Indian cuisine, and also provide holiday travel, safari services and curio crafting.”
Lifting travel restrictions, she said, has helped boost tourist arrivals.
“There is an increase in the number of travellers because we are now in the post-Covid-19 era.
“On average, we have been clearing 17 500 to 21 350 travellers a day at all ports of entry and exit.”
Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mangaliso Ndlovu said Zimbabwe has recorded a more than 100 percent increase in tourist arrivals this year.
“Tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe during the first quarter of 2023 rose by 108 percent from 130 536 in 2022 to 271 188,” he said at the recent relaunch of the newly refurbished Cresta Lodge in Harare.
“A total of 1,95 million local trips were registered during the first quarter from 1,87 million trips recorded in 2022.
“Overall, domestic trips rose by 4 percent during the first quarter.”
Movement restrictions owing to Covid-19 adversely affected the tourism industry.
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