From Concepts to Concrete: Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi Calls on Investors to Drive Zimbabwe’s Next Growth Wave

MASVINGO, Zimbabwe — Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has urged potential investors to convert tourism proposals into concrete projects, emphasizing that Zimbabwe’s sector growth is driven by rich heritage, strategic policy, and expanding commercial opportunities. Speaking at the Tourism Investment Forum held under the umbrella of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo, Minister Rwodzi highlighted the province’s foundational role in the nation’s economic identity.

Minister Rwodzi noted that hosting the forum in Masvingo carries deep historical significance, as the province houses Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in stone by the nation’s ancestors. She emphasized that Zimbabwe’s market appeal extends far beyond natural scenery, offering investors a backdrop of civilization, heritage, and enduring value.

The Minister highlighted that the country’s tourism sector is experiencing a defining moment characterized by rapid expansion across key economic metrics:

​Steady increases in international and domestic tourist arrivals.

​Rising tourism receipts reflecting higher visitor spending.

​Expanding investment inflows and global recognition from world-acclaimed publishers.​

This trajectory, Rwodzi stressed, is a deliberate outcome of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which positions tourism at the center of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.

To capture longer visitor stays and directly benefit local residents, Minister Rwodzi outlined key priority development areas within Masvingo Province:

​Gonarezhou National Park: Essential utility support and infrastructure expansion around regional assets, including golf facilities.

​Map Rock Developing amenities around the natural rock formation that resembles a map of Africa. Key plans include constructing restaurants and partnering with local residents to convert homes into guest accommodation, boosting rural livelihoods.

Addressing potential investors, Minister Rwodzi called for immediate, actionable commitments. She noted that while Zimbabweans excel at developing concepts, the current mandate demands turning plans into tangible results—specifically through improved, refurbished, and new infrastructure developments across the country.