← All sectorsSector 04 / 14
Services exports ~US$1.1 bn (2024)
Tourism & Hospitality.
Vic Falls, Mana Pools, Hwange, Great Zimbabwe. Recovered to ~95% of 2019 peak.
7%
GDP share
6
Players
Profitability snapshot
Luxury bush lodge GP 55–70%; mid-mkt hotel 30–45%
01 · Top players
- African Sun
- Meikles
- Rainbow Tourism Group
- Wilderness Safaris
- Cresta
- Singita
02 · Advantages
- Globally rare assets
- KAZA partnership
- USD revenue
- Government priority sector
03 · Challenges
- Air access
- Cost perception
- Power & water at lodges
- Skills gap
04 · Opportunities
- Mid-market glamping
- Eastern Highlands wellness
- Sports/MICE tourism
- Film tourism
Snapshot
- ZTA: 2.6 m international arrivals in 2024, ~US$1.1 bn receipts (recovered to ~95% of 2019 pre-pandemic level).
- Sector contribution to GDP: ~6–7% direct, ~12% incl. multiplier.
- Vic Falls is the magnet; Hwange (game), Mana Pools (UNESCO wilderness), Great Zimbabwe (heritage), Eastern Highlands (Nyanga, Vumba, Chimanimani) round it out.
- Visa-on-Arrival eligible for 90+ countries; KAZA UniVisa with Zambia simplifies regional travel for the Vic Falls / Livingstone tourist axis.
Sub-sectors
Lodges, hotels & resorts
- Operators: African Sun (Holiday Inn, Elephant Hills, Hwange Safari), Cresta Hotels, Meikles, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), &Beyond, Wilderness Safaris, Singita, Imvelo, Bushlife Safaris.
- Avg occupancy 2024: ~55–62% (Vic Falls), ~40–48% (Harare CBD), ~30–40% (Bulawayo).
Safari & adventure
- Photographic safaris (Mana Pools), walking safaris (Hwange), rafting (Zambezi), bungee/zipline (Vic Falls bridge), microlight flights, helicopter rides.
Conference & MICE
- Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), Elephant Hills Conf., Vic Falls Conf. Centre.
- AU/SADC summits, Sanganai/Hlanganani trade show, IATF rotational hosting.
Heritage & culture
- Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins, Matobo Hills, Domboshawa, National Gallery, Shona sculpture.
Cruise tourism
- Lake Kariba house-boating: Cruise Africa, Caribbea Bay, Tiger Bay; emerging luxury segment.
Profitability
| Segment | Gross margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury bush lodge (≥US$800/pax/night) | 55–70% | High capex, high RevPAR |
| Mid-market hotel | 30–45% | Volatile occupancy |
| Conference/MICE | 25–35% | Strong USD revenue |
| Tour operator/agency | 12–18% | Asset-light |
| Adventure operator | 25–40% | Permit-dependent |
Challenges
- Air access: limited direct long-haul (KLM Vic Falls seasonal, Ethiopian, Emirates daily).
- Cost of travel: Vic Falls is perceived as expensive vs Mauritius/Kenya alternatives.
- Visas & cross-border friction outside KAZA bloc.
- Power & water at lodges: most run hybrid solar-diesel systems.
- Wildlife pressures: poaching, elephant overpopulation, human-wildlife conflict.
- Skill gap in F&B and digital marketing.
Advantages
- Globally rare assets (Vic Falls, Mana Pools, Hwange, Great Zimbabwe).
- KAZA partnership with Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola.
- USD-denominated revenue inflows.
- Young, friendly, multilingual hospitality talent.
- Government priority sector — duty exemptions on safari vehicles, hotel equipment.
Example companies
- African Sun (ZSE): largest hotel group.
- Meikles Limited (ZSE): Meikles Hotel + retail (TM Pick n Pay JV exit completed 2023).
- Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG, ZSE): Rainbow Towers, A'Zambezi, etc.
- Cresta Hotels: regional African chain with Zim presence.
- Wilderness Safaris (LSE): luxury safari leader.
Opportunity hooks
- Glamping + tented camps at <US$300/pax/night (mid-market gap).
- Adventure & wellness retreats in Eastern Highlands.
- Eco-tourism community projects (CAMPFIRE 2.0 revenue-share models).
- Film tourism (Zimbabwe as a location).
- Sports tourism: Africa Cup of Nations (hosting bid), cricket revivals, golf tournaments on Leopard Rock / Elephant Hills courses.
- MICE: Vic Falls SEZ + new conference complexes.