KEY POINTS
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International tourism at Victoria Falls increased by 8%.
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New flight routes from Europe boost visitor numbers.
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Decline in domestic visitors suggests economic pressure.
In the first quarter of 2025, 47,633 foreign visitors visited Victoria Falls Rain Forest, a considerable rise from 44,110 the previous year.
Tourist numbers rise in the first quarter of 2025
Europe, particularly the UK, Ireland, and Germany, accounted for the majority of foreign visitors, according to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks).
Better travel alternatives, upgraded infrastructure, and more marketing initiatives aimed at foreign tourists were among the several reasons given by officials for the increase in tourists.
Both domestic and foreign visitors to the Victoria Falls Rain Forest increased from 59,718 in 2024 to 61,139 in total.
Tinashe Farawo, a spokesman for ZimParks mentioned that the destination’s improved accessibility was a major factor in the rise in first-quarter visitor arrivals.
“Travel has been easier since the Victoria Falls Airport expanded,” Farawo stated. “It has inspired travelers, especially those traveling from abroad.”
Links between Europe and Zimbabwe’s top natural destination have been strengthened by the addition of new direct aircraft routes, including connections from Frankfurt, Germany.
Dedicated tour packages, according to ZimParks, also make it simpler for travelers to reserve comprehensive experiences at affordable and adjustable prices.
According to Farawo, the KAZA UniVisa was essential in making it easier for qualified foreign visitors to travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Longer stays and more extensive investigation of the region’s tourist attractions are encouraged by the visa’s smooth cross-border travel between the two nations.
Farawo stated that visitors gain from the simplified admissions procedure, which makes it simpler to see both sides of the falls at once.
Domestic travel declined, with local arrivals falling to 13,506 in 2025 from 15,608 in 2024, but foreign travel rose.
Domestic tourism shows a decline amid economic pressures
According to Newsday, the declining economy of Zimbabwe has contributed to the situation by lowering disposable income and restricting travel options for many locals.
It is thought that inflation, growing living expenses, and economic uncertainty have affected Zimbabweans’ capacity to engage in leisure travel.
ZimParks is certain that sustained investment and regional cooperation will support global expansion in the upcoming quarters, notwithstanding the local downturn.
Farawo underlined that the authority will keep collaborating with partners to make sure Victoria Falls continues to be a popular vacation destination worldwide.
