Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has told global tourism stakeholders that Zimbabwe’s soft diplomacy, peace and stability, coupled with the implementation of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 and NDS 2, have been key drivers of tourism growth through the diversification of products and destinations across the country.
Minister Rwodzi made the remarks at the Angola Investment Summit 2026 in Luanda where regional leaders, policymakers, investors and tourism executives gathered to explore tourism investment opportunities and assess the sector’s contribution to economic development.
Representing President Mnangagwa at the high-level gathering, Minister Rwodzi used the platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s tourism transformation and growing appeal as an international tourism and investment destination.
In a statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry’s Deputy Director for Communications and Advocacy, Ms Norah Takaindisa said Zimbabwe’s tourism achievements attracted significant international attention during the summit.
“During the discussion, CNN’s Connecting Africa Correspondent, Victoria Rubadiri, congratulated the Minister on Zimbabwe’s recognition by Forbes magazine as the world’s number one must visit destination for 2025 as well as Tourism Minister of the Year in Africa for 2025, highlighting the country’s rising profile as a leading global destination,” said Ms Takaindisa.
Responding to the recognition, Minister Rwodzi attributed Zimbabwe’s success to increased tourist arrivals and policy measures that have strengthened investor confidence.
“Minister Rwodzi attributed Zimbabwe’s achievement to the significant growth in tourist arrivals and the positive impact of the ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ policy, which has strengthened investor confidence and increased international interest in the destination.”
She said Government’s commitment to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, supported by strategic economic reforms, had created favourable conditions for tourism expansion and investment.
“She further highlighted that Zimbabwe’s Soft Diplomacy, peace and stability, coupled with the implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 NDS 1 and NDS 2, have driven Tourism growth through the diversification of products and destinations across the country.”
Zimbabwe has in recent years broadened its tourism offerings beyond its traditional attractions, leveraging cultural and heritage tourism, community-based tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), adventure tourism and emerging destinations across the country.
The diversification strategy forms part of wider efforts to enhance destination competitiveness, spread tourism benefits to local communities and unlock new investment opportunities across the tourism value chain.
Tourism remains one of Zimbabwe’s key economic sectors, contributing to foreign currency generation, job creation, infrastructure development and investment attraction.
The sector has also become an important pillar in the country’s drive towards achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030.
According to Ms Takaindisa, the Angola Investment Summit provided Zimbabwe with an important platform to market its tourism potential while engaging prospective investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s growing tourism industry.
“The summit provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences and reinforcing Tourism’s role as a catalyst for Investment, employment creation and Sustainable National Development,” she said.
The engagement comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to strengthen its global tourism footprint and leverage growing international recognition to attract more visitors, investment and strategic partnerships into the sector.
Sidumisile Mabena