Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
AIR Zimbabwe recently participated in a diaspora engagement in the United Kingdom hosted by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, who unveiled the country’s new tourism vision and called for diaspora investment.
Convened by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Colonel (Retired) Christian Katsande, the meeting brought together diaspora business and community leaders, tour operators, and young professionals.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Mr George Manyaya also attended.
During the event, Minister Rwodzi commended the Air Zimbabwe delegation—led by board chairman Dr Silvanos Gwarinda, marketing and operations committee chairperson Mr Onesimo Mukumba, and chief executive officer Mr Edmund Makona—for restoring the Harare–London route after a 14-year hiatus.
“The restoration of this strategic route was a major highlight of Zimbabwe’s participation in the World Travel Market (WTM), held at ExCeL London,” Air Zimbabwe said in a statement.
“It underscored the importance of direct air connectivity in advancing the country’s tourism ambitions, facilitating diaspora travel and unlocking opportunities for economic cooperation. It also reaffirmed Air Zimbabwe’s strategic role in supporting Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with international markets.”
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Katsande congratulated Minister Rwodzi on winning three awards for tourism leadership this year.
“The minister has flown our flag high. She has made Zimbabwe the best destination story in the world, and as an embassy, we must celebrate her,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Rwodzi outlined Zimbabwe’s 13-cluster tourism strategy, which shifts away from generic marketing towards targeted, investable products.
The clusters cover nature and wildlife, culture and heritage, rural tourism, township tourism, sports tourism, religious tourism, business and MICE, medical tourism, gastronomy tourism, study and diplomacy tourism, visiting friends and relatives (VFR), recreational and holiday tourism, and eco-tourism.
