As the curtains came down on the World Travel Market 2026 in London, Zimbabwe took its tourism investment agenda directly to the Diaspora, hosting a successful Engagement Forum and Dinner at Zimbabwe House in London.
The event was officiated by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, and attended by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Col. (Rtd) Christian Katsande, and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive, Dr George Manyaya. The engagement called on Zimbabweans abroad to move beyond remittances and scale up their contribution through direct investment back home.
The Minister conveyed His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s deep appreciation for Diaspora remittances, which have sustained the Zimbabwean economy over the years, while emphasising his keen interest in seeing these contributions complemented by increased economic investment back home.
She reiterated that tourism is a low hanging sector, offering significant opportunities for the Diaspora to participate directly in the country’s economic transformation. As an important constituency in Zimbabwe’s economy, the Diaspora must not be left behind in the programmes and projects advancing Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
Drawing attention to the 13 Tourism Clusters and the diverse investment prospects they offer, the Minister highlighted opportunities in accommodation and hospitality infrastructure in Victoria Falls, particularly around the Mosi-oa-Tunya development, conference facilities in Harare ahead of AfCFTA 2029, as well as cultural, heritage and rural tourism.
She underscored tourism’s capacity to generate employment, empower communities, expand enterprise opportunities and transform livelihoods, while assuring prospective investors of Government’s readiness to facilitate investment.
Ambassador Katsande applauded the Diaspora’s continued contribution to national development and encouraged stronger engagement with Government and the private sector.
Zimbabwe’s achievements in tourism are already speaking for themselves. In the first half of 2026 alone, tourist arrivals reached 6.4 million, up from 5 million in the same period last year, while tourism receipts rose to US$537 million. International arrivals grew by 11 percent in the first quarter of 2026 to 384,561, with receipts up 14 percent to US$251 million, and domestic trips surged to 2.62 million. This growth has been boosted by global recognition, including being named among the world’s top destinations by Forbes in 2025 and winning Destination of the Year for Natural Wonders at ITB Berlin 2026. The benefits are tangible: more foreign currency earnings, increased investment which surged to US$132.3 million in the first half of 2026, new jobs, improved roads and accommodation, and empowered communities around attractions such as Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands.
