A TOTAL of 370 676 tourist arrivals were recorded by Zimbabwe during the first half of 2021, against a target of 1,1 million, a cabinet minister has said.

Addressing a post cabinet briefing last night, I.C.T Minister Jenfan Muswere said tourism investment during the period amounted to US$141,2 million against a target of US$280 million.

 He said current performance on investment was attributed to tourism rebates put in place by the government to assist the growing appetite to invest in the tourism sector.

The tourism sector benefited from tax rebates valued at US$11,3 million in 2021, a 370 percent increase from US$2,4 million received in the prior year, as the government extended incentives to cushion the sector.

The industry was one of the worst affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, mainly from lockdowns, red listing and travel bans, affecting local players’ cash flows.

The rebates earmarked for capital goods and specified motor vehicles benefited a total of 117 applicants compared to 81 in 2020.