ZAMBIA'S TOURISM SECTOR SURGES BETWEEN 2021 AND 2025

 Zambia’s tourism industry has just delivered one of its strongest five-year performances in recent history - a quiet sector that once sat on the margins has now stepped confidently into the arena of national economic heavyweights. 

A ministerial statement by Tourism Minister Hon. Rodney Sikumba, MP, paints a picture of a sector expanding in every direction: funding, arrivals, infrastructure, conservation, jobs, all pointing upward. 

 Government spending tells the first story. In 2021, the Ministry of Tourism worked with just K303.7 million. Five years later, the numbers look dramatically different: K1.3 billion in 2025, rising again to K1.5 billion in 2026. That’s a massive 394% increase, a clear signal that government no longer sees tourism as a side attraction, but as a central pillar in Zambia’s economic diversification agenda. 

 Visitor numbers followed the same upward path. International arrivals hit 2.3 million in 2025, up from 2.2 million the year before. Even more telling, 1.2 million visitors arrived in just the first half of 2025, showing the world’s growing appetite for Zambia’s nature, culture, and adventure. 

Zambians themselves also joined the movement - 553,516 domestic visits were recorded at museums, heritage sites, and national parks, reflecting a rising culture of local travel. 

 The sector’s contribution to the treasury also expanded significantly. Non-tax revenue jumped from K131 million in 2021 to K474 million in 2025, while tax revenue grew from K483.5 million to K1.2 billion within the same period. 

Tourism employment also strengthened, now supporting over 159,000 direct jobs, with projections pushing this to 164,000 in 2026. Business tourism maintained its dominance. 

Zambia currently leads Southern Africa in business tourism spending, supported by an average visitor spend of US$500 and a 3.5-day stay, especially for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings. Infrastructure improvements have been a quiet but powerful catalyst. 

Access roads to tourism destinations were increased from 1,600 km to 2,500 km, opening up more of Zambia’s landscapes to visitors. Human–wildlife conflict cases also dropped from 21,000 in 2021 to 16,500 in 2025, thanks to stronger community engagement, quicker response systems, and ongoing wildlife protection efforts. 

 Minister Sikumba attributed the progress to strategic government investment, deeper collaboration with private players, and a consistent push to preserve wildlife and improve visitor experiences. 

With better infrastructure, increased arrivals, and strengthened conservation, he said Zambia is positioning itself as a competitive, sustainable tourism destination. Looking ahead, government plans to intensify focus on the Northern Circuit, Livingstone, and emerging eco-tourism hotspots across the country areas expected to anchor the next phase of tourism growth. 

JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND 

 Tourism is no longer just the story of Victoria Falls - it’s becoming the story of Zambia’s economic future. The numbers show a sector that has moved out of survival mode and into strategic expansion. 

 A 394% budget jump signals political will. Rising arrivals signal global confidence. More jobs and higher revenue signal real economic impact. 

 Better roads and reduced wildlife conflict signal a system finally working in harmony. 

 If Zambia stays on this path, tourism won’t just be a supporting act, it may become one of the country’s biggest engines of growth, community empowerment, and global attraction. 

 [Brave Heart News | Unlocking Minds].