The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
TOURIST arrivals at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments in Masvingo Province are expected to rise this year following easing of movement of people and a decline in cases of Covid-19.
The tourist attraction had, like others across the country, suffered from low numbers in the past two years due to restriction of movement that was brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Great Zimbabwe Monuments marketing officer Ms Lizzy Marimira said that the site was not spared from the challenges that affected the tourism sector with figures dropping to around 11 000.
“Great Zimbabwe is the major tourist attraction in Masvingo and it attracts not only domestic tourists but international tourists as well.
So the Covid-19 pandemic really affected the tourism industry and Great Zimbabwe was not spared.
At the moment the number of visitors is improving unlike in 2020 where we had a total of 11 900 visitors coming to the site and in 2021 we recorded a total of 14 000 visitors,” she said.
Ms Marimira said following the relaxation of some regulations there is a chance that the volume of people will increase especially among school children who come for educational tours.
“In 2022 we are noticing a very good change in terms of visitors.
International visitors are starting to come as well as the school groups for educational trips.
So far from January to March this year we have recorded about 5 000 visitors,” she said.
Tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe suffered a serious knock due to Covid-19, with most facilities forced to close after the Government came up with measures to contain Covid-19.
However, after a massive vaccination programme, the Government has eased some of the restrictions resulting in the numbers peaking again.
