BY OBERT SIAMILANDU THE Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry says while tourist arrivals declined by 40% in 2021, tourism receipts registered a 10% increase during the same period.
Addressing stakeholders at a post-COVID-19 tourism impact assessment stakeholder consultative workshop in Kariba yesterday, acting director of tourism development and facilitation in the Environment and Tourism ministry, Gladys Chinyerere said tourist receipts fell by 71% in 2020 following a 72% decline in arrivals.
“This performance took Zimbabwe 30 years back to 1991 arrivals. In 2021 there were signs of recovery with arrivals declining by 40%, while receipts recovered by a 10% margin increase. To sum it up, the industry suffered varying degrees of losses such as employment, investment, business, revenue, and skills among others,” Chinyerere said.
“It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic affected small to large enterprises, youth businesses, women businesses, rural operators, and various segments of industry across the country.”
“In view of the above, the ministry through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with support from Agence Française de Développement, found it critical to examine and assess the impact of this pandemic to the tourism industry.”
She said the tourism impact assessment was part of government’s national tourism recovery and growth strategy launched in 2020.
The countrywide assessment aims to ascertain the actual impact of the pandemic, to inform decision-making processes, and to accelerate recovery of the sector.
- Follow Obert on Twitter@osiamilandu
