‘Investment crucial for tourism growth’

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT has underscored tourism investment as a vital driver of inclusive growth, provincial empowerment and national transformation, with Manicaland being identified as a strategic hub for eco-tourism, cultural tourism and cross-border trade.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi told the Tourism Investment Forum in Mutare this morning that investment remained the cornerstone of tourism growth.
The forum brings together investors, financiers, and policymakers to unlock opportunities ahead of the tourism showcase.
Minister Rwodzi was represented by her deputy, Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa at the event.
“Investment remains key for the growth and development of tourism. Successful destinations have to invest in the infrastructure and amenities that support visitors’ stay. The theme for this year’s Sanganai World Tourism Expo – Unlocking Tourism Investment Opportunities for Local Economic Development – stresses Government’s determination to harness tourism as a driver of inclusive growth. Tourism investment must go beyond national balance sheets, but transform livelihoods at the community level,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi also highlighted bankable opportunities for investors in Manicaland – expansion of hospitality infrastructure in Nyanga, Vumba, Chimanimani, and Mutare; adventure and eco-tourism ventures, such as hiking trails and mountain lodges, and community-based tourism projects, including village homestays and agro-tourism, among others.
“Your presence here will shape the trajectory of Zimbabwean tourism for decades. Let us create tourism models of investment that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the hosting the forum demonstrates the Government’s commitment to positioning tourism as a key economic driver, aligning with Vision 2030 and NDS1.
“Devolving tourism development is not just a theme, it is a call to action. It means empowering provinces like ours to become engines of growth, innovation, and sustainable development,” he said.
Minister Mugadza described Manicaland as a magnet for tourism investment, citing its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities.
“From the misty mountains of Nyanga, the pristine forests of Vumba, to the waterfalls of Chimanimani, Manicaland is not just a tourist destination but a strategic investment hub where natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic opportunity converge,” he said.