By Aldridge Dzvene
HARARE — Zimbabwe is poised to elevate its international tourism profile as it prepares to host a series of United Nations Tourism High-Level Meetings at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls from 27 April to 1 May 2026. The gatherings, which include the 23rd United Nations Committee on Tourism and Sustainability, a Pilot Capacity-Building Workshop linked to the International Year of Resilient and Sustainable Tourism 2027, and the 2nd United Nations Tourism Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa, represent a strategic alignment of Zimbabwe’s national tourism ambitions with global sustainability agendas.
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Book NowCabinet approval of the hosting plan signals the government’s recognition of tourism as both a diplomatic and economic lever. By welcoming policymakers, development partners, sustainability experts, and global tourism leaders, Zimbabwe is not only positioning itself as a hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE Tourism) but also demonstrating its commitment to resilience and inclusivity in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Hosting these back-to-back events serves as a preparatory milestone for the International Year of Resilient and Sustainable Tourism in 2027, providing Zimbabwe with the opportunity to showcase best practices in sustainable tourism, gender inclusivity, and policy-driven capacity building. The Pilot Capacity-Building Workshop, scheduled for 28–29 April, will focus on equipping regional actors with practical tools and strategies for advancing sustainability within tourism systems, reflecting a forward-looking approach that merges global priorities with local implementation.
The Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism, running from 29 April to 1 May, further underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to social and economic inclusion, highlighting gender-responsive strategies as critical to resilient tourism development. By centering women’s participation, the country aims to institutionalize empowerment pathways that enhance entrepreneurship, leadership, and decision-making opportunities within the sector.
Strategically, hosting these high-profile UN meetings signals Zimbabwe’s readiness to be a credible partner in global tourism governance while simultaneously leveraging the events to attract investment, enhance regional collaboration, and strengthen national tourism infrastructure. The expected participation of international delegates provides a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of actionable frameworks that could directly influence the sustainability and competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
From an economic perspective, the meetings are anticipated to generate immediate benefits for Victoria Falls, boosting hotel occupancy, local trade, and hospitality services, while reinforcing the city’s reputation as a premier destination for international conferences. Beyond these tangible gains, the events mark a significant soft power opportunity, allowing Zimbabwe to project stability, diplomatic competence, and leadership in regional tourism policy.
In positioning itself at the center of this multi-layered engagement, Zimbabwe is effectively translating high-level diplomacy into sectoral development, ensuring that global recognition and local benefit converge. As the country prepares for a pivotal 2027 International Year of Resilient and Sustainable Tourism, the Victoria Falls meetings will serve as both a test and a showcase of Zimbabwe’s capacity to lead, coordinate, and innovate in tourism governance across Africa.
