Zimbabwe has taken another confident step in consolidating its place within global tourism diplomacy after being confirmed as host of two major United Nations Tourism events scheduled for Victoria Falls in April 2026, a development that underscores the country’s deepening engagement with international tourism governance and sustainable development frameworks.
The country will host the 23rd Meeting of the UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability from April 27 to 28, 2026, followed by the 3rd UN Tourism Women in Tourism Congress running from April 28 to 30, positioning Victoria Falls as a central platform for high-level global dialogue on the future of tourism.
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Book NowThe confirmation of Zimbabwe as host was formalised through the signing of a host agreement and letter of intent by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Development, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, together with UN Tourism Secretary-General Ms Shaikha Al Nowais, in a ceremony that signalled growing international confidence in Zimbabwe’s institutional capacity and strategic direction within multilateral tourism cooperation.
These developments go beyond the symbolism of hosting prestigious meetings. They place Zimbabwe at the heart of critical international conversations on environmental stewardship, climate resilience and community empowerment, themes that increasingly define the sustainability and credibility of tourism worldwide. The Committee on Tourism and Sustainability will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to deliberate on how tourism can evolve in ways that are economically viable while remaining environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
Closely following this, the Women in Tourism Congress will turn the spotlight on gender inclusion and economic empowerment within the tourism sector, reflecting a global shift towards recognising women not merely as participants in tourism, but as central drivers of innovation, enterprise and leadership across tourism value chains. By hosting this congress, Zimbabwe aligns itself with emerging global priorities that view inclusive growth as a fundamental pillar of sustainable tourism development.
Zimbabwe’s international tourism profile is further elevated by its designation as host of the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027, a prestigious global initiative that entrusts the country with leading preparations for a year dedicated to redefining tourism in the context of climate change, economic recovery and social inclusion. This recognition places Zimbabwe among a select group of nations not only implementing global tourism frameworks, but actively contributing to their formulation.
The choice of Victoria Falls as the venue carries both symbolic and strategic significance. Long celebrated as one of Africa’s natural wonders, the resort city is now evolving into a venue where global tourism policy and development priorities are debated and shaped. In this transition, Zimbabwe is repositioning itself from being primarily a destination admired for its attractions to a country increasingly recognised for its role in influencing tourism discourse and direction.
Beyond diplomatic prestige, the hosting of these high-level events is expected to deliver tangible economic benefits, including enhanced international visibility, strengthened investor confidence in the hospitality and tourism sectors, and expanded opportunities for local enterprises within the broader tourism ecosystem. It also contributes to skills transfer, institutional strengthening and the positioning of tourism as a strategic pillar of national development.
For Zimbabwe, this moment reflects a broader narrative of re-engagement with international institutions and the pursuit of development diplomacy anchored in sustainability, resilience and inclusivity. As preparations begin for the 2026 events and the 2027 international tourism year, attention will increasingly turn to how the country translates this recognition into lasting national and regional impact.
What is already evident, however, is that Zimbabwe is no longer content with being merely a host to tourists, but is steadily assuming a more influential role as a host of ideas, leadership and global tourism cooperation.
