Unpacking Zimbabwe’s new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy

Lloyd Makonya

Correspondent

IN a visionary move, His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa recently officially launched Zimbabwe’s new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025 – 2030) at State House in Harare.

The comprehensive policy framework is set to reshape the country’s tourism sector, unlocking new investment, employment and cultural diplomacy opportunities under the broad goals of Vision 2030.

Tourism in Zimbabwe has always been more than just leisure, it is a strategic sector with far-reaching impacts. It supports livelihoods, earns foreign currency and showcases the nation’s heritage to the world. The newly unveiled policy reaffirms this status, elevating tourism to a key economic pillar alongside agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

President Mnangagwa described tourism as a “low hanging fruit for accelerated economic growth, employment creation and foreign exchange generation.” He emphasised the sector’s transformative power, noting that it is ideally positioned to attract international visitors, boost national pride, and catalyse infrastructure development across the country.

At the heart of the newly launched Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy lies a clear and ambitious vision to transform Zimbabwe into a globally competitive and locally empowering tourism destination. The policy moves beyond rhetoric, offering a practical and inclusive blueprint to revitalise the sector and position it as a key engine of economic growth as it seeks to first promote and secondly develop the tourism and hospitality industry as a key driver for the achievement of an upper middle income economy status.

One of its central thrusts is to project Zimbabwe as a destination of choice, not only within the region, but on the world stage. This will be achieved through aggressive marketing campaigns, a renewed national brand identity and diversification of tourism products from traditional wildlife safaris to wellness retreats, adventure travel, heritage experiences and culinary tourism.

To attract the investments needed to grow the sector, the policy outlines measures to create a more investor-friendly environment, including incentive packages and streamlined processes for both domestic and international players. The policy commits to clearing bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensuring investor confidence.

Accessibility both physical and administrative is another key pillar. The government is determined to open Zimbabwe to the world, with a focus on expanding air connectivity, modernising transport networks and reforming visa systems. The emphasis on ease of entry, including enhanced use of e-visas, aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader regional commitments and Vision 2030 targets.

Importantly, the policy does not just look outward. It also looks within calling for the empowerment of local communities through inclusive tourism models. By promoting cultural tourism, preserving heritage sites and investing in community-based experiences, the policy seeks to ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt at grassroots level. In rural districts, this means more jobs, skills development and pride in local identity.

Recognising that sustainability is no longer optional in a world facing climate crisis, the places a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship. Tourism development, it asserts, must be climate-resilient and ecologically responsible. From green building standards to conservation-based tourism, Zimbabwe is setting out to build a sector that thrives in harmony with its natural assets.

Lastly, in line with global trends, the policy embraces the digital age. The modern traveller expects convenience, and Zimbabwe aims to deliver through the digitisation of tourism services—from online bookings and smart payments to digital marketing and real-time destination management systems. This shift will improve visitor experience, enhance transparency, and open new channels for market engagement.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, described the policy as a “living document” which will respond to market dynamics and technological advances.

“This policy brings together all key players in the tourism and hospitality industry under one national vision. It offers guidance to the sector on government expectations while clarifying roles and responsibilities,” said Minister Rwodzi.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, echoed the importance of collaborative implementation, calling on all stakeholders to align their programmes with the new policy.

“This policy is not just for Government. It is for all of us investors, communities, local authorities and visitors. It will serve as a compass to guide the sector toward growth, resilience, and global competitiveness,” he said.

Dr Munyanyiwa also highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making and promised that the Ministry will continuously monitor the sector’s performance through improved tourism intelligence systems.

For tour operators, hoteliers, investors, local authorities and cultural institutions, the policy provides both clarity and confidence. It lays the foundation for public-private partnerships, infrastructure development and the rollout of smart technologies in tourism services.

With the launch of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy, Zimbabwe is signalling to the world that it is open for tourism business, equipped with a clear vision and solid strategies. As President Mnangagwa noted, the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism is “bright and full of promise.”

Ends