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Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Business Reporter

LISTED hospitality service provider, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) says despite the ravaging impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector, the resumption of international flights by some international airlines into Victoria Falls would steer growth in activity in the destination.

The tourism sector was among the hardest-hit industries globally after countries implemented lockdowns and travel restrictions to limit the spread of the pandemic.

According to the country’s first National Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), Covid-19-induced global travel restrictions cost the country’s tourism sector an estimated US$690 million as the destination suffered reduced demand for leisure services due to reduced traffic.

In a trade update for the period ending 30 September, RTG said it remains optimistic about the continued recovery of the tourism sector supported by increased activities following the global containment of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The return of physical international tourism conventions and exhibitions is pointing towards the return of normal international tourism. The resumption of flights by some international airlines into the Victorian Falls should see growth in activity in the destination,” reads part of the update.

Zimbabwe has witnessed increased interest from various airlines in recent years, with some, including Emirates, increasing flight frequency while others, including Germany’s Eurowings Discover airline and RwandAir entering the country’s air space.
Recently, Ethiopian Airlines added Bulawayo as its third stop in the country.

The airline, which already flies into Zimbabwe through Harare and Victoria Falls, is set to provide service four times a week from Addis Ababa to Bulawayo through Victoria Falls.

The renewed interest in Zimbabwe as a destination is a show of confidence in the local tourism industry, and aviation market in general, by foreign airlines and the international community.

Authorities have attributed the growing interest in the country by foreign airlines to improved aviation infrastructure.
The hotel group said revenue under the hotel’s segment continues to grow as economic activity return to normalcy following a prolonged period of low activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“City hotels continue to contribute the highest revenues. Increased economic activities have seen city hotel occupancy improve to the pre-pandemic levels. Conferencing has remained a major revenue driver during the period under review. It is anticipated that the same trend will continue to year-end.”

The group said resort hotels which have been largely buoyed by local business over the past years have begun to attract foreign business.

“With international tourism experiencing a rebound, it is expected that the volumes recorded at the resort hotels will improve. The group continues to reap the rewards of its international marketing activities as evidenced by the increasing bookings from international tour operators.”

Official records indicate that during the first quarter of the year, the tourism sector registered 352 719 arrivals up from 164 064 in the same period last year.

The surge was a 115 percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2021.
Tourism receipts also increased by 121 percent this year to $337,5 million compared to last year’s $152,8 million.

Due to national lockdowns and travel restrictions countries world over imposed measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has not been spared from the adverse effects of the virus.

The Covid-19 pandemic was first detected in China in December 2019 before spreading across the globe.
In 2020, the Government launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy to restart the sector, whose contribution to the national economy has been heavily crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tourism industry is one of the three major economic mainstays after mining and agriculture that contribute significantly to the fiscus and Gross Domestic Product through foreign currency generation.