Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE tourism sector has commended President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for their leadership and commitment to advancing tourism development, saying their efforts have strengthened Zimbabwe’s position as a competitive and authentic destination on the global tourism map.
The accolades were made during the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s (ZTA) inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, where stakeholders reflected on the industry’s performance and the growing international recognition of Destination Zimbabwe.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, speaking through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said Zimbabwe’s tourism transformation was being driven by a heritage-based tourism development model championed by President Mnangagwa.
She said the approach had enabled the country to harness its rich cultural heritage, traditions, gastronomy, wildlife, arts, history and people as unique tourism assets, while ensuring communities play a central role in the sector’s growth.
“Through the vision and leadership of His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has increasingly embraced a heritage-based tourism development model that leverages our cultural assets, traditions, gastronomy, wildlife, arts, history and people as key tourism products.
“This approach is positioning Zimbabwe as an authentic destination built on identity, heritage and sustainability.
“Heritage-based tourism is no longer merely a concept; it is becoming a defining feature of Destination Zimbabwe. Through this approach, communities become active participants in tourism development while preserving the resources that make our country unique.
“As Government, we remain resolute in positioning Zimbabwe as a premier tourism destination regionally and globally, particularly through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority whose mandate, as provided for in the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20], is to promote and develop tourism,” she said.
The Minister’s remarks come as the tourism sector continues to record positive growth, supported by increased investment, aggressive destination marketing and the diversification of tourism products.
The industry also paid tribute to First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for championing gastronomy tourism, an emerging segment that has brought Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage into the international spotlight.
ZTA board chairman Mr Farai Chimba said the First Lady’s initiatives had significantly enhanced the country’s visibility as a culinary tourism destination and contributed to product diversification within the sector.
“I would like to pay special tribute to the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, whose gastronomy tourism initiatives have significantly elevated Zimbabwe’s visibility as an emerging culinary tourism destination,” said Mr Chimba.
He said the First Lady’s efforts had culminated in a landmark partnership with UN Tourism, paving the way for the establishment of a continental centre of excellence for culinary arts.
“These efforts culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and UN Tourism for the establishment of the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts in Victoria Falls, an initiative expected to promote skills development, youth empowerment and tourism product diversification,” said Mr Chimba.
Mr Chimba said Zimbabwe had already begun reaping the benefits of the gastronomy tourism drive through increased international recognition and successful hosting of major global tourism events.
One of the sector’s key milestones during 2024 was the hosting of the United Nations Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Africa in Victoria Falls.
“Gastronomy tourism presents opportunities for cultural preservation, local economic empowerment, product diversification and inclusive growth across tourism value chains.
“The tourism industry also recorded improved business performance during the period, supported by increasing room occupancies and renewed activity across tourism establishments,” said Mr Chimba.
