Rwodzi Delivers First Lady’s Sustainable Tourism Call at Sanganai Awards

MASVINGO, ZIMBABWE — Zimbabwe must move beyond chasing visitor numbers and build a tourism industry that protects the country’s natural and cultural heritage while delivering lasting economic benefits to communities, First Lady and Patron of Tourism Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

Dr Mnangagwa, who was the Guest of Honour at the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe 2026 Tourism Expo Awards Ceremony, delivered a strong message on sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism in a speech presented on her behalf by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Hon Barbara Rwodzi at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo on Friday.

The First Lady commended the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) for successfully staging the country’s premier tourism showcase, describing Sanganai/Hlanganani as an important platform for connecting Zimbabwe with international buyers, investors, exhibitors and tourism professionals.

She said the expo continues to play a critical role in positioning Destination Zimbabwe as a competitive and diverse tourism destination while creating opportunities for investment, partnerships and business growth.

Dr Mnangagwa said tourism remains a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic development, contributing to employment creation, foreign currency generation, infrastructure development, community empowerment and inclusive growth.

However, she stressed that the success of the sector should not be judged by visitor arrivals alone.

The First Lady called on tourism stakeholders to embrace responsible investment, strengthen conservation and ensure that local communities meaningfully benefit from tourism activities taking place in their areas.

She said sustainable tourism must protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural heritage, preserve cultural identity and create opportunities for communities to participate in and benefit from the tourism value chain.

The First Lady also highlighted the growing importance of climate resilience, particularly as the world prepares for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism and Resilience in 2027.

She challenged the industry to prepare for future shocks by investing in climate-smart infrastructure, strengthening conservation programmes, empowering communities and adopting responsible business practices.

For Zimbabwe, she said, sustainability must become an integral part of tourism development rather than an afterthought.

The approach is also aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), as well as broader continental and global development frameworks, including African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN Tourism agenda for Africa.

Sanganai awards celebrate industry excellence

The awards ceremony provides an opportunity to recognise businesses, organisations and individuals whose work continues to drive the growth and competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

Dr Mnangagwa congratulated the nominees and winners, praising their innovation, professionalism, commitment and contribution to destination marketing.

She said their efforts were helping to build confidence in Destination Zimbabwe and showcasing the country’s capacity to compete on the international tourism market.

Those who did not win were encouraged to remain focused on improving their products and services.

“Excellence should not be viewed as a destination but as a continuous journey,” the First Lady said.

Government, business and communities must work together

Dr Mnangagwa called for stronger collaboration between Government, the private sector, communities and development partners to unlock investment, diversify Zimbabwe’s tourism products and strengthen skills development.

She reaffirmed her commitment to initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable tourism, while encouraging stakeholders to continue promoting Zimbabwe’s unique combination of wildlife, heritage, landscapes, culture and hospitality.

The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe 2026 Tourism Expo, held in Masvingo, brought together local and international exhibitors, tourism buyers, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders in an effort to expand business opportunities and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position on the global tourism market.

The message from the awards ceremony was clear: Zimbabwe’s next phase of tourism growth must not only attract more visitors — it must create stronger businesses, empowered communities and a destination capable of thriving for generations to come.