Zimbabwe recorded a rise in foreign arrivals during the third quarter of 2025, driven largely by increased business travel and steady growth in tourism, according to new figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.
Data published by the agency and reported by The Herald show that business travel recorded the strongest growth during the period. The number of business visitors rose by nearly 43 per cent year on year, increasing from 82,454 in the same quarter last year to 118,496.
Tourists continued to make up the largest share of foreign travellers, with arrivals increasing by 18 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2024.
In total, Zimbabwe received 520,751 foreign visitors during the quarter, representing a 15 per cent increase year on year. When returning residents are included, overall arrivals reached 1,381,554 people.
Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency Director General Tafadzwa Bandama said international migration data play a vital role in national planning and policymaking. He said the figures provide important insights into cross-border movement and help guide decisions linked to economic growth and infrastructure development.
The data also show that travellers from African countries accounted for just under 59 per cent of total arrivals. South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s largest source market, followed by Mozambique and Zambia.
The increase in arrivals aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader tourism strategy, which aims to grow the sector to a value of US$10 billion by 2030. The strategy focuses on improving tourism infrastructure, expanding cultural and heritage tourism, and promoting sustainability across the sector.
Tourism authorities see rising business travel as a positive signal, reflecting renewed investor interest and increased regional engagement, while steady growth in leisure travel points to improving confidence in Zimbabwe as a destination.
