Zimbabwe records rise in Victoria Falls tourist arrivals

Zimbabwe's tourism sector continues to register positive growth, with new figures showing an increase in visitor arrivals to the Victoria Falls Rainforest during the first quarter of 2026.

The latest statistics suggest that the country is building on the momentum generated by its growing international profile and ongoing efforts to position itself as a leading tourism destination in Africa.

According to official first-quarter data released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, visitor arrivals to the iconic Victoria Falls Rainforest increased from more than 60,000 during the first quarter of 2025 to over 64,000 during the same period this year.

The increase reflects sustained interest in one of Zimbabwe's most important tourism attractions and comes as the country seeks to expand tourism's contribution to economic growth, employment creation and foreign currency generation.

Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains the flagship of Zimbabwe's tourism industry and is widely regarded as one of the world's most spectacular natural attractions.

ZimParks Public Relations Manager, Luckmore Safuli, said the figures demonstrate growing confidence among both domestic and international visitors.

"The first-quarter statistics demonstrate growing confidence among visitors choosing Victoria Falls as their preferred destination," he said.

"We are continuously improving the visitor experience while ensuring the sustainable conservation of this unique ecosystem."

Safuli said authorities expect visitor numbers to continue rising throughout the year as tourism promotion efforts gather momentum.

"Going forward, we expect Victoria Falls to attract more visitors, thereby contributing to Zimbabwe's tourism growth. As ZimParks, we remain committed to ensuring that all tourists visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site enjoy a safe and premium experience," he said.

Tourism officials view the performance of Victoria Falls as a key indicator of the broader health of Zimbabwe's tourism industry, which has been identified as a strategic sector under the country's economic development plans.

The destination remains a major source of foreign currency earnings and supports thousands of jobs across hospitality, transport, retail and related industries.

Economic analyst Stevenson Dlamini said growth in tourist arrivals generates benefits far beyond the tourism sector itself.

"What makes these numbers important is that tourism has strong multiplier effects across the economy," he said.

"Every additional tourist supports employment, creates demand for local goods and services, and generates foreign currency earnings."

He added that increased visitor activity at Victoria Falls contributes to wider economic development in surrounding communities and across the national economy.

"Growth at Victoria Falls therefore translates into broader economic benefits for both local communities and the national economy," Dlamini said.

The tourism industry has continued to attract investment in recent years, with new hotels, eco-lodges and tourism facilities opening in and around Victoria Falls.

At the same time, authorities have intensified conservation efforts aimed at protecting the area's unique biodiversity and maintaining the destination's appeal for future generations.

Industry stakeholders believe the combination of infrastructure development, improved visitor experiences and enhanced marketing efforts is helping strengthen Zimbabwe's competitiveness in the regional tourism market.

The steady increase in arrivals also reflects growing confidence among travellers seeking nature-based and adventure tourism experiences.

As tourism activity expands, Victoria Falls continues to reinforce its status as one of Africa's premier tourism destinations and a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's tourism economy.

With visitor numbers trending upward and further investments expected across the sector, tourism authorities remain optimistic that the positive momentum will continue throughout 2026, supporting economic growth, job creation and foreign currency earnings.