Online Reporter
Zimpapers Business Hub
The Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) announced the appointment of Dr George Munyaradzi Manyaya as the chief executive officer with effect from February 1, 2026.
In its message annoucing the appointment, the board said: “The Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr George Munyaradzi Manyaya as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026.
“Dr Manyaya brings strong academic credentials, strategic leadership and extensive multi-sectoral experience. He holds a Doctorate in Business Management, a Master of Science in International Relations degree, Masters degree in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance and is a holder of a Bachelors degree in Business Management. Furthermore he has professional qualifications in Mass Communication, Diplomacy and Regulation.
“He has served across key tourism-enabling sectors including aviation, transport, telecommunications, energy, mining, banking and the United Nations system (IOM), gaining deep insight into tourism development, infrastructure, investment and stakeholder coordination.
“A recognised marketing and communications strategist, Dr Manyaya joins ZTA from ZESA Holdings, where he was General Manager responsible for Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Relations. He serves and has previously served on several boards in both the public and private sectors. He is also Chairman of ZINARA, where he has led successful rebranding, governance and modernisation initiatives.
“He was appointed Tourism Brand Ambassador and served on the Organising Committee of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly, successfully co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“Dr Manyaya’s mandate includes positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive tourist destination, driving tourism development, enforcing industry standards, generating tourism intelligence, coordinating stakeholders and facilitating sustainable investment for national growth.”
Dr Manyaya’s appoitment came at a time the world is awakening to Zimbabwe as a fast-rising, must-visit tourism destination, with the Government crafting deliberate strategies to sustain momentum as the country continues to earn major international accolades.
Tourism, recognised under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and its successor NDS2 as a key pillar in the drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030, is emerging as one of the most resilient and fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
The sector is expected to be a major contributor to gross domestic product, underlining its strategic importance to national development.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said Zimbabwe’s growing global profile was clear evidence that the tourism rebound was firmly on track, driven by sound policies under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
She said sustaining Zimbabwe’s new status as one of the world’s top travel destinations would require continued alignment with the President’s vision and policies, which have positioned the country as a leading tourism hub in Africa and beyond.
Speaking to Zimpapers Business Hub at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo recently, Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe was benefitting from increasing international recognition through prestigious awards, signalling renewed global interest.
The focus, she said, was now on sustaining the momentum through policies aligned to global tourism trends, while ensuring competitiveness and inclusivity.
“For example, Forbes magazine awarded us international recognition as a must-visit destination in 2025,” she said.
“We are very grateful because this recognition was given in early November, but even now the world is still talking about it on television and across various social media platforms such as TikTok.
“They are talking about Zimbabwe as a surprise sleeping giant that is emerging as a mass tourism destination.
“It is an indicator that the world is now awakened and knows that Zimbabwe is once again a great destination, coming back from years of sanctions and restrictions.”
Minister Rwodzi cautioned against complacency, saying the country could not afford to rest on its laurels.
“But we really need to maintain this position at the top. The strategies that we are crafting are, therefore, key,” she said.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for his strategies that were outlined in NDS1 and are now being advanced under NDS2.”
She said sustaining tourist arrivals remained a top priority, as international visitors increasingly discovered a transformed Zimbabwe.
“We need to ensure that tourists keep travelling to Zimbabwe,” said Minister Rwodzi.
“International tourists are realising that what was previously said about Zimbabwe is no longer the case. The country has changed, hence positive image building is key.
“President Mnangagwa’s foreign policy of Zimbabwe being an enemy to none and a friend to all is working wonders.
“Marketing strategies must continue, including for domestic tourism. Tourism is a low-hanging fruit in terms of investment, and we are already witnessing growing investor interest.”
