Zimbabwe Steals the Show at Osaka 2025 Expo, Captivating Over Half a Million Visitors
Written by Staff Reporter on June 22, 2025
Osaka, Japan – June 2025: Zimbabwe has emerged as a star attraction at the prestigious Osaka 2025 World Expo, drawing an astonishing over 500,000 visitors to its national Pavilion during its dedicated two-week showcase period. This remarkable footfall underscores a surging global interest in the Southern African nation’s unique tourism offerings.
The country’s presence received a significant boost with the week-long visit of Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa. Dr. Munyanyiwa took centre stage, passionately promoting Zimbabwe’s diverse tourism assets – from the thunderous majesty of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) and abundant wildlife in iconic parks like Hwange and Mana Pools, to its rich cultural heritage, ancient history embodied by the Great Zimbabwe ruins, and vibrant modern cities.
“This level of engagement has been phenomenal and overwhelmingly positive,” declared Dr. Munyanyiwa during his interactions with Expo attendees. “Seeing such immense queues and genuine fascination at our Pavilion is a clear testament that global recognition of the Zimbabwe brand is rising steadily. We are confident this exposure at a mega-event like Osaka 2025 will translate into meaningful, tangible results for our tourism sector.”
The sheer scale of the Expo itself, attracting a staggering 11.5 million visitors since its opening in April, provided an unparalleled global platform. Zimbabwe’s ability to captivate such a significant portion of these visitors – exceeding half a million in just two weeks – speaks volumes about the compelling nature of its presentation and the inherent allure of its destinations.
Dr. Munyanyiwa’s active participation, engaging directly with potential tourists and industry partners, highlighted the Zimbabwean government’s strong commitment to aggressively positioning the country as a premier destination on the international tourism map. The focus was firmly on showcasing “distinctive heritage experiences” that set Zimbabwe apart.
The buzz generated by the Pavilion, amplified by social media momentum (#ExperienceZimbabwe, #ZimBho), has firmly placed Zimbabwe in the global tourism spotlight. The message from Osaka is clear: Zimbabwe is open, welcoming, and ready to offer unforgettable experiences to the world. The success at Expo 2025 signals a bright and promising chapter for Zimbabwean tourism.