South Africans Coming to Zimbabwe in Droves
South Africans comprised the largest group of foreign visitors to Zimbabwe between April and June 2023
South Africans Coming to Zimbabwe in Droves
Recent statistics reveal that South Africans surprisingly have a fondness for visiting Zimbabwe.
This is unexpected because South Africans are often critical of Zimbabweans who migrate to their country in search of greener pastures.
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According to the ZIMSTAT, the Second Quarter International Migration Statistics for 2023 indicate that South Africans comprised the largest group of foreign visitors to Zimbabwe between April and June.
They accounted for 21.5% of the nearly one million arrivals during that period. Interestingly, South Africans visited Zimbabwe primarily for vacation purposes.
Out of the 987,524 arrivals recorded in Zimbabwe during the review period, 60% were returning residents, 31% were visitors from abroad, and nine percent were transit travelers to other countries.
Mr Taguma Mahonde, the Director General of ZIMSTAT, stated that nearly 331,000 of the arrivals were foreign visitors, with South Africa contributing the most significant share.
He reported,
South Africa accounted for the majority of visitors during the second quarter of 2023 at 21.5%.
A total of 331,982 visitors came to Zimbabwe during that period, of which 51.4% came for holiday purposes.
Mahonde further explained that
- 29% were in transit,
- 18% came for business,
- 1.9% for education, and
- 1.7% for shopping.
Comparing the second quarter of 2023 to the same period in 2022, there was a notable 27.8% increase in the proportion of visitors from abroad who came for vacation.
Among neighbouring countries, Zambia had the second-highest number of visitors to Zimbabwe, followed by Mozambique.
South Africans Coming to Zimbabwe in Droves
The United States of America had the highest number of arrivals from overseas, with Britain and Ireland ranking second.
The majority of travellers who visited Zimbabwe arrived by road.
In the second quarter of 2023, 74.9%Â of the total arrivals, amounting to 248,536 visitors, entered the country through road ports of entry.
In comparison, 133,757 arrivals were recorded at road ports of entry during the second quarter of 2022.
