Zimbabwe attracts more tourists from Americas

Zimbabwe's tourist arrivals from Americas picked up by 67 percent from February 2004 to January 2005, according to a survey released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).

The Visitor Exit Survey (VES) revealed that at least 62 percent of tourists from North America and 60 percent arrivals from the Oceania region were first time visitors while nearly 63 percent of arrivals from Asia also came to the country for the first time, local newspaper The Daily Mirror reported on Friday.

The survey indicated that at least 74 percent of visitors were from regional markets while 26 percent were from overseas markets. South Africa provided the bulk of the regional tourists.

According to the survey, of the total number of respondents, 47 percent said the Zimbabwean product base was good to very good while 53 percent said the product was poor to very poor. However, 96 percent said they would come back to Zimbabwe.

"In general, Zimbabwe was said to be very expensive compared to other countries offering the same products and services in the regions," the ZTA said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's major tourist attractions recorded booming business during the Christmas holidays. Hoteliers said some properties registered up to 100 percent bookings and will be fully booked until New Year's Day.

Hotels in the Masvingo, Kariba, Nyanga and Victoria Falls all had a busy festive season, recovering from major setbacks in the first half of the year when occupancy levels declined by 9 percent from 37 percent in the first half of 2004 to 28 percent.

Source: Xinhua