VICTORIA FALLS, HWANGE TAKE CENTRE STAGE AS ZIMBABWE COURTS US TOURISM AND INVESTMENT

Zimbabwe is putting its two major tourism powerhouses — Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park — firmly in the global spotlight as the country intensifies efforts to attract American tourists and investors.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken Zimbabwe’s tourism and investment proposition to the global market, presiding over the Zimbabwe Business Forum in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Held under the theme “Global Challenges. Zimbabwean Solutions. Shared Prosperity,” the forum provided a platform for Zimbabwe to showcase investment opportunities, with tourism featuring prominently.

For Victoria Falls, the message is clear: the destination is being positioned not only as one of Africa’s most iconic tourism attractions, but also as a potential hub for further tourism-related investment.

President Mnangagwa invited American travellers and investors to experience Zimbabwe’s heritage, wildlife and cultural offerings, specifically highlighting Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

The two destinations offer a powerful tourism combination — the spectacle of the Zambezi and Victoria Falls on one side, and Hwange’s extensive wildlife experience on the other.

Victoria Falls remains at the heart of Zimbabwe’s international tourism proposition.

The destination offers visitors the Falls themselves, adventure tourism, wildlife experiences, cultural activities, accommodation, conferencing and other tourism services.

But the New York business forum also placed emphasis on the investment opportunities surrounding the destination.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr George Manyaya told the forum that the country has the capacity to deliver a complete tourism experience through the Six A’s of Tourism — Attractions, Accessibility, Accommodation, Amenities, Activities and Ancillary Services.

For Victoria Falls, that framework speaks directly to the opportunities available across the tourism value chain — from accommodation and transport to entertainment, conferencing, adventure activities, retail, food and beverage, technology and supporting services.

MASUWE PUTS INVESTMENT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

A major component of the Victoria Falls investment proposition is the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, a 1 200-hectare development designated for Tourism and Financial Services.

Dr Manyaya said a comprehensive feasibility study for bulk infrastructure has been completed, while the cadastral survey for the first 271.5-hectare phase has also been completed.

The development could add another layer to Victoria Falls’ already significant tourism economy by creating opportunities for investment beyond the traditional hotel and attraction model.

For businesses in Victoria Falls, increased international investment could potentially translate into opportunities across construction, hospitality, transport, retail, events, entertainment, technology and other tourism-linked sectors.

Just beyond Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park strengthens Zimbabwe’s proposition as a wildlife destination.

The country’s largest national park offers visitors an opportunity to experience Zimbabwe’s wildlife alongside a Victoria Falls itinerary.

The combination gives international travellers the potential to build a broader Zimbabwean holiday around two globally recognisable destinations — Victoria Falls and Hwange.

For Victoria Falls, this also creates opportunities to strengthen its role as a gateway into wider tourism circuits in the region.

Dr Manyaya highlighted the strategic importance of the United States, describing it as Zimbabwe’s largest international tourist source market.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi also participated in the New York engagements, including B2B meetings aimed at strengthening tourism and investment links with the American market.

The challenge now is converting the international pitch into increased arrivals, longer stays, greater tourist spending and more investment flowing into tourism businesses and communities.

For Victoria Falls, that means ensuring that the international attention generated around the destination translates into tangible opportunities for local operators, entrepreneurs, workers and communities.

Zimbabwe’s message from New York was unmistakable:

Victoria Falls is open. Hwange is open. Zimbabwe is open for tourism and investment.

The global market is being invited to experience the country — and to invest in the opportunities that come with it.