Keypoints:
- Foreign arrivals rose 15 percent year-on-year in Q3 2025
- Business travel increased by 43 percent, strengthening sector recovery
- South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia led regional inflows
ZIMBABWE’S tourism industry recorded strong growth in the third quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in foreign arrivals from neighbouring Southern African countries and rising business travel, according to new official data.
Statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that the country received 520,751 foreign visitors between July and September 2025, representing a 15 percent increase compared with the same period last year. The figures point to growing confidence in Zimbabwe as both a leisure and business destination, following sustained investment in infrastructure and targeted marketing efforts.
When returning residents are included, total arrivals during the quarter reached 1,381,554, underscoring the sector’s steady recovery and its expanding role within the national economy.
Business travel posts standout growth
One of the most striking trends in the latest data is the sharp rise in business travel. Business visitor arrivals jumped by 43 percent year-on-year, increasing from 82,454 in the third quarter of 2024 to 118,496 in 2025.
ZimStat attributed the growth to improved connectivity, upgrades to transport infrastructure and renewed economic engagement across the region. Analysts say the rise also reflects Zimbabwe’s growing appeal as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), as public and private sector activity gradually expands.
Business tourism is increasingly viewed as a high-impact segment, with corporate travellers typically spending more and staying longer than leisure tourists.
Leisure tourism remains central
Leisure travel continued to anchor overall growth, with international tourist arrivals rising by 18 percent during the quarter. Tourists remained the largest category of foreign visitors, drawn by Zimbabwe’s wildlife experiences, cultural heritage and iconic natural attractions.
Sites such as Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and the Great Zimbabwe ruins remain key drivers of international interest. Tourism authorities say regional travellers are playing an especially important role, supported by proximity, road access and demand for short-stay travel.
African countries accounted for 58.9 percent of all foreign arrivals. South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s leading source market, followed by Mozambique and Zambia, reinforcing the importance of intra-African travel to the sector’s performance.
Strategy aligned with long-term targets
The latest growth aligns with Zimbabwe’s ambition to build a $10bn tourism industry by 2030. The government’s strategy focuses on infrastructure upgrades, destination diversification and policies centred on sustainability and heritage preservation.
Alongside traditional safari tourism, there is a growing emphasis on cultural tourism, community-led experiences and eco-tourism products that reflect global demand for responsible travel. Authorities have also prioritised improvements to airports, accommodation stock and transport networks to support rising visitor volumes.
At the same time, investment continues in conference facilities and hospitality capacity to sustain the expansion of business tourism.
Economic impact and remaining hurdles
Tourism remains a major source of employment and foreign exchange for Zimbabwe, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across hospitality, transport, retail and agriculture. Rising visitor numbers are expected to strengthen local supply chains and contribute to broader economic recovery.
However, challenges persist. Industry stakeholders continue to cite limited air connectivity, service quality gaps and the need for stronger international destination branding. Addressing these issues, analysts say, will require sustained collaboration between government, the private sector and local communities.
According to ZimStat, the third-quarter performance provides clear evidence that Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is regaining momentum. If current trends continue, the country appears well positioned to advance towards its long-term tourism targets and reinforce its status as a leading Southern African destination.
