Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
ZIMBABWE’S tourism is gearing up for its peak season amid sentiments that the worst is now behind it after two years of Covid-19-induced interruptions.
Tourism was severely affected by the pandemic outbreak as governments across the world imposed travel bans to try to contain the spread of the disease.
Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president Wengayi Nhau expressed satisfaction at the sector’s performance in the past year.
“This is the first normal year we have had since the Covid-19 outbreak, where we have had no lockdowns. We have been quiet as an industry, but this is very normal at this time of year. As you know, tourism runs with the seasons.
“We are still in the low season although we are now approaching the high season, which will start around May when the rains stop to around October or November.
“We are looking forward to another busy tourism year. Places such as Hwange and Victoria Falls are picking up quite well,” Nhau told The Financial Gazette last week.
He said the industry remained subject to developments in the wider economy.
“We are a sector that is at the tail end of the value chain. So whatever costs we have as an industry are reflective of the macroeconomic environment. At the moment there is stability, but when prices go up elsewhere, we are affected,” Nhau said.
This comes amid concerns by the sector that a recent 150 percent hike in conservation fees that was recently introduced by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) could restrict international arrivals.
ZimParks increased entry fees into the Victoria Falls Rain Forest and Zambezi River to US$50 per person for international residents from US$20, and US$30 per person for Sadc residents, up from US$10 previously.
Meanwhile, on the Zambian side, international and Sadc visitors still pay US$20.
Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe president Emmanuel Fundira said the new fees made Zimbabwe an uncompetitive tourist destination.
“The percentage increase is unrelatable in US dollars and is far too high. Besides, the increase does not make any sense as it is definitely an additional cost and not justifiable, making our product offering uncompetitive,” Fundira said.
“Travellers always follow value for money, and given a choice, they will support competitively priced destinations.
“Why this is so unfair is that the 2023 marketing collateral is already out there with agents and appears in all marketing material posts, brochures, among others, and therefore changing prices mid-stream is grossly unfair.”
The tourism sector in the country has continued to recover, as indicated by the increase in foreign inbound travel and domestic tourist activities.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, tourist arrivals increased by 2,8 percent to 350 283 from 340 779 recorded during the third quarter, according to official figures.
The relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, improved accessibility, particularly by air, and an increase in domestic tourist activities contributed to the growth of the tourism sector during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Authorities are expecting tourist arrivals to increase to 1,4 million in 2023, while tourism receipts are projected at US$623 million.
The government is targeting 2,5 million tourist arrivals by 2025 and US$1,5 billion in receipts.
A rise in arrivals will be vital for generating the foreign currency inflows that the country requires.
newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw
