Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has officially entered a new chapter with the launch of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025–2030), a framework widely praised by stakeholders as both visionary and urgent. With tourism already recognized as a low-hanging fruit in the country’s economic recovery and diversification drive, the policy represents a timely intervention aimed at modernizing infrastructure, streamlining regulation, and integrating digital innovation to attract serious domestic and international investment.
At its core, the policy is a strategic navigation tool, one that aligns the tourism industry with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the government’s ambition of achieving a US$44 billion GDP. It is built on six priority pillars, including human capital development, digital transformation, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reforms, all geared toward repositioning Zimbabwe as a competitive and world-class tourism destination.
The optimism among sector leaders is palpable. Tourism expert Dr. Emmanuel Fundira welcomed the policy as a roadmap capable of unlocking significant economic value, while Clive Chinwada, President of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, described it as a manifestation of Zimbabwe’s “forward-thinking and destination vision.” Their endorsements underline one thing: this policy is not business-as-usual.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, emphasized that the policy is not merely aspirational, it is action-oriented. From embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and ICT solutions to integrating global best practices, Zimbabwe is intent on keeping pace with rapidly evolving tourism trends. “AI is playing a big role in tourism, and we want to ensure our industry gets into this innovation landscape,” she said, signaling a tectonic shift from analog approaches to digital dynamism.
Crucially, the policy does not treat tourism as an isolated sector. It is envisioned as an ecosystem that incorporates MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, sports tourism, finance infrastructure, and community-based cultural experiences. The government’s proposed whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach calls for collective responsibility and cross-sectoral collaboration, an approach that signals institutional maturity.
An impressive part of the new policy is its international integration agenda. Minister Rwodzi cited Zimbabwe’s standout performance at the Osaka Expo, where the country’s virtual tourism stand attracted over 4,500 visitors daily. This level of interest speaks volumes, not only about the magnetic draw of Victoria Falls and other destinations, but also about Zimbabwe’s ability to leverage digital diplomacy to tell its story on the global stage.
However, to translate policy into performance, several critical enablers must be addressed. First, the customer experience, from border posts and airports to accommodations, must reflect the excellence the policy aspires to. Second, investment in hard infrastructure, particularly in underdeveloped regions, must be scaled up. Third, skills development across the tourism value chain must receive targeted attention, ensuring that every Zimbabwean touchpoint in the sector exudes professionalism and warmth.
Moreover, with rising visitor numbers from China, Europe, and other key markets, the time is ripe for Zimbabwe to double down on destination branding, diversify its tourism products, and expand the scope of community participation. A responsive, inclusive, and sustainable model, where locals benefit meaningfully from tourism revenues, is the ultimate marker of success.
If implemented with urgency, efficiency, and accountability, the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy 2025–2030 could become the most transformative sector blueprint Zimbabwe has seen in decades. It charts not only a path to economic gain but also a reimagination of how Zimbabwe presents itself to the world, not just as a place to visit, but as a destination to experience.
The future of Zimbabwe’s tourism is no longer a passive hope, it is a planned, data-driven, and digitally integrated vision in motion.
