A significant milestone in advancing institutional governance and aligning Zimbabwe’s tourism sector with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 was achieved today as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority convened its Inaugural Annual General Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Harare.
The landmark gathering underscored ZTA’s renewed commitment to transparency, sound corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement as key enablers of a competitive and resilient tourism economy under NDS2.
ZTA Chief Executive Officer Dr. George Manyaya
Officiating on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, Permanent Secretary Dr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa said the AGM marked a defining moment in ZTA’s journey towards institutional renewal, performance excellence, and responsible leadership.
He emphasised that ZTA’s operations are firmly guided by national frameworks including the National Tourism Policy, Vision 2030, and NDS2. These blueprints position tourism as a strategic pillar for economic transformation, job creation, and inclusive growth under Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Development Agenda.
Dr. Munyanyiwa called on the ZTA Board and Management to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and prudent stewardship of public resources. Strengthening governance systems, he noted, is essential to enhancing Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global tourism landscape and restoring stakeholder confidence.
Underscoring tourism’s contribution to national development, Dr. Munyanyiwa highlighted the sector’s role as a driver of inclusive prosperity, foreign currency generation, and community empowerment. The priorities set out in NDS2 require institutions like ZTA to deliver measurable outcomes through transparency, performance-based management, and effective partnerships.
He commended ZTA Board Chairman Mr. Farai Chimba and Chief Executive Officer Dr. George Manyaya for their dedication to rebuilding stakeholder confidence and embedding accountability across the Authority’s operations.
The Permanent Secretary also acknowledged the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe for its continued support to the sector. He cited the relaunched Tourism Joint Marketing Committee as a critical platform for translating international destination recognition into tangible results: increased tourist arrivals, higher tourism receipts, expanded employment opportunities, and greater benefits for local communities.This collaborative approach aligns with NDS2’s thrust on leveraging strategic partnerships to accelerate economic growth while ensuring that development gains are shared across provinces, rural communities, and small to medium tourism enterprises.
The Inaugural AGM sets a new governance benchmark for state entities in tourism, reinforcing the principles of institutional excellence and stakeholder accountability that underpin Vision 2030. By institutionalising regular engagement with stakeholders and adhering to national policy frameworks, ZTA is positioning Zimbabwe’s tourism sector to compete effectively, attract investment, and deliver sustainable growth.
As Zimbabwe pursues an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, the ZTA’s renewed focus on governance, professionalism, and public-private collaboration will be central to unlocking the full potential of tourism as a catalyst for national transformation under NDS2.
