Zambia recorded a 2.6 percent increase in international tourist arrivals in 2016 compared to the previous year, its ministry of tourism said on Friday.

The southern African nation saw international tourist arrivals hitting 956,332 in 2016 compared to 931,782 the previous year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.

According to the figures, most of the tourists who visited Zambia last year came from Africa, accounting for 77.9 percent of the total international arrivals followed by Europe, with 9.2 percent of arrivals while Americas accounted for 5 percent of the total arrivals.

Asia and Australia accounted for 7 percent and 0.9 percent to the total arrivals, it added.

About 53 percent of the tourists traveled for business purposes, 26 percent for leisure or holiday, visiting friends and relatives accounted for six percent while conferences and study accounted for three and two percent respectively.

The ministry however noted that out of the 58 million international tourist arrivals to Africa, Zambia received only 1.6 percent. Endit

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