HERITAGE Village in Liberation City is hosting delegates attending the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit for a Tourism Night aimed at showcasing Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and hospitality.
The event is being held today, 19 October, as regional leaders, policymakers and business executives gather in Zimbabwe for the summit, which runs until 22 October.
The summit is being held under the theme “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA”.
Heritage Village is an African cultural and hospitality destination developed by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), the organisation behind the Museum of African Liberation.
The facility hosts cultural experiences, conferences, exhibitions, corporate functions and leisure gatherings, drawing on African heritage, cuisine and culture.
INSTAK chief executive officer Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi said the institution was honoured to welcome regional delegates to a venue that celebrates African identity and unity.
“We are delighted to welcome our COMESA brothers and sisters to Heritage Village as Zimbabwe opens its doors to the region. Tourism, and indeed Heritage Village, allows people to encounter one another’s cultures, appreciate our heritage, and discover the many experiences our continent has to offer,” he said.
He said the intention was to give visitors an experience of Zimbabwe beyond its role as host of regional meetings, showcasing the country as a destination for culture, hospitality and investment.
Ambassador Muzawazi said tourism could support regional economic integration by creating jobs, attracting investment and generating business opportunities across several sectors.
“Tourism is an important economic sector in its own right and a catalyst for growth across accommodation, transport, agriculture, creative industries and small businesses,” he said.
He added that developing the region’s tourism potential could stimulate enterprise and encourage greater movement of people across borders.
Heritage Village forms part of the broader Liberation City development, which includes the Museum of African Liberation, a project dedicated to preserving and promoting Africa’s liberation heritage.
The COMESA Tourism Night links regional diplomacy with cultural exchange and tourism promotion, highlighting the potential of heritage and hospitality to contribute to economic development.
