- Aims to double visitor arrivals from India to 34,000 in 2024.
- Surpasses the US$5 billion tourism revenue target set for 2025.
Tongai M Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry for Zimbabwe, makes his inaugural visit to India, leading a delegation in Mumbai to engage with the travel trade. The aim is to elevate Zimbabwe’s profile as a premier tourism destination and educate the trade about its product potpourri.
In conversation with T3, Mnangagwa noted that India’s response to Zimbabwean tourism has been positive, with a 19% increase in visitors. “Last year, we welcomed over 17,000 visitors from India,” Mnangagwa added. “This year, we are confident that we will easily double that number.”
Additionally, Zimbabwe has already exceeded the US$5 billion tourism revenue target set for 2025. On this achievement, he remarked, “We have done a great job and are now pushing even further. We are proud of our work and the team that is doing a lot for the growth of the tourism sector.”
He also stated that India currently ranks as the 8th largest source market for Zimbabwe. “But the initiatives that the private sector is taking are first-of-its-kind. And with this support, India is definitely going to be number 1 or 2”, shared Mnangagwa. According to him, India has got the numbers and money, India can do better. The top source markets for Zimbabwean tourism currently include the U.S., England, China, followed by Germany and France.
He emphasized that the anticipation around India is fueled by a significant initiative introduced earlier this year: the eased visa process for Indian travelers. Indians can now benefit from visa-on-arrival at Harare International Airport. Talking about this initiative, Mnangagwa shared, “We have categorized India from the rest. Traveler can apply with just 30 USD and is granted access to Zimbabwe on arrival. With the new visa process implemented earlier this year, it became easier for Indians to travel to Zimbabwe.”
He also mentioned that this initiative was launched in response to feedback from Indian operators, who noted that while many Indians are eager to visit Zimbabwe, the visa process had been a significant hurdle. “They submitted a petition, and as a listening government, we opened up and spread arms for Indians”, said Mnangagwa.
Talking about the strategy for India market, he shared, “We want to grow our business in India market from a tourism perspective, we know there is great potential because of its numbers and today we are in Mumbai, where the money is, followed by other cities. Our products are unique, but people don’t know about it as our country is small.”
Further discussing upcoming initiatives for the travel trade and marketing, Mnangagwa mentioned that Zimbabwe is actively inviting buyers to visit the country. “We are organizing familiarization tours and hosting tourism experts to explore our destinations and experience our products. We are investing our resources to bring the right people to Zimbabwe, including hosting influencers from India,” added Mnangagwa.
Regarding the top market segments, Mnangagwa noted that young travelers make up the majority of visitors. They are primarily drawn to activities like bungee jumping, mountain climbing, ziplining, boat cruising, and more. However, Zimbabwe aims to make it bigger to cater to a wider audience.
On the connectivity front, Mnangagwa mentioned that there is already good connectivity between India and Zimbabwe with just one stop. “However, in the future, we plan to introduce direct flights, potentially connecting Mumbai or Delhi with Zimbabwe,” concluded Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwe Roadshow in Mumbai was organized in association with BRANDit and according to Sheerazi, the event is a testament to BRANDit’s commitment to empowering Indian agents and tour advisors with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively showcase unique destinations such as Zimbabwe.
Sharing more on now BRANDit is aiming to bring the destination at the forefront of Indian travelers, CEO & Co-founder of BRANDit, Lubaina Sheerazi mentioned that BRANDit’s expertise lies not only in bringing such destinations to light but also in adding significant value to both the destination and India’s travel industry.
She further added, “My personal journey to Zimbabwe in 2013 was nothing short of revelation – the country’s culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality left an indelible mark on me. With its unique offerings, ease of access, and now visas on arrival for Indians, Zimbabwe is set to become a must-visit destination for Indian travellers eager to explore uncharted territories”
“We are delighted to see such strong interest from the Indian travel trade and are confident that Zimbabwe will soon become a preferred standalone destination for Indian tourists”, concluded Sheerazi.
