Zimbabwe Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in zimbabwe, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Travel and Tourism
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Overview

Tourism is Zimbabwe’s third-largest economic sector after mining and agriculture, with significant potential to contribute to the country’s economic recovery. Zimbabwe boasts several national parks and natural attractions, including Hwange National Park, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou National Park, Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, and the Great Zimbabwe National Monument.

According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), international tourist arrivals increased by 1 percent in 2024, rising from 1,602,781 visitors in 2023 to 1,613,901 in 2024. Tourism generated an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue and $190 million in investments. Most visitors (68 percent) came from Africa, while eight percent arrived from the Americas, 13 percent from Europe, and six percent from Asia.

Zimbabwe completed the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in the capital, Harare, in July 2023, increasing its annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to six million and opening more international airline routes. The $153 million project was funded by a loan from the China Export-Import Bank. The government also extended the runway at Victoria Falls International Airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft and constructed a new passenger terminal to support increased tourist arrivals.

Leading Sub-sectors

The Government of Zimbabwe has supported capital investment in the tourism sector by offering tax incentives and duty-free status on imports for specific categories of capital goods used by hotels, restaurants, and safari operators. Investment in the tourism sector grew by 11 percent, rising from $172.2 million in 2023 to $190.5 million in 2024. The accommodation subsector attracted the largest share of investments, totaling $164 million, reflecting sustained demand for quality lodging facilities.

Wildlife photo and hunting tourism also present significant growth potential. However, some wildlife conservancies have faced challenges obtaining trophy hunting licenses due to political interference by individuals attempting to claim conservancy land under the guise of indigenization. Additionally, U.S. law requires import permits for the import of elephant trophies into the United States, requiring African elephant range countries that export sport-hunted African elephant trophies to the United States to provide annual certification on the current management and status of their elephants and the hunting programs in their country.

Opportunities

Relatively low real estate prices in Victoria Falls create opportunities for the construction of hotels and lodges. The designation of Victoria Falls as a Tourism Special Economic Zone and International Financial Center has the potential to attract much-needed investments. Despite improvements at Zimbabwe’s two main airports, local infrastructure—including roads, rail, water, telecommunications, and energy—remains outdated and requires rehabilitation. U.S. companies can explore opportunities to provide adventure and experiential tourism services, as well as aviation and transport links.

As global tourism trends shift toward sustainability, opportunities exist to offer specialized training in sustainable tourism and to invest directly in eco-travel and adventure travel businesses. The Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) has identified additional opportunities in the construction of conference and convention centers, resorts and casinos, and shopping malls. While many of Zimbabwe’s lodges cater to high-end, luxury tourists, an increase in visitor volume could create opportunities to develop accommodations and services targeting the middle-class market.

Resources

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
Tourism House
55 Samora Machel Ave, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 779 212 289

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