Zimbabwe’s Tourism Sector Shines This Festive Season: A Message from the Minister

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is experiencing a strong resurgence this festive season, marked by increased cross-border movement and growing international interest, officials have confirmed.

A visit to the Kazungula Border Post on Tuesday revealed a vibrant flow of tourists transiting between Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. The border post, a strategic regional gateway, continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating tourism within Southern Africa, particularly during peak travel hours between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

Tourism authorities say the steady traffic reflects the success of regional tourism collaborations that package Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls together with Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Namibia’s renowned conservation and safari experiences. These multi-destination offerings have become increasingly attractive to international travelers seeking comprehensive African travel experiences.

Zimbabwe is also recording a notable rise in visitors from key international markets, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Officials describe this trend as a strong endorsement of the country’s global appeal as a premier tourism destination.

Equally encouraging is the growth in regional tourism. Visitors from neighboring countries—particularly Botswana and South Africa—are arriving in significant numbers, with many choosing Victoria Falls as their preferred festive holiday destination.

This development highlights growing regional confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism products, hospitality, and infrastructure.
“The increasing diversity of our visitors, and the rising numbers from both international and regional markets, are clear signs that Zimbabwe’s tourism offers experiences that resonate with travelers from every corner of the globe,” said Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe, underscoring the sector’s positive trajectory.

The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry attributes this positive performance to government policy direction, particularly the reforms and engagement strategies championed by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” policy and the country’s foreign relations approach, described as being “an enemy to none and a friend to all,” have helped attract investment and renewed international interest.

Recent tourism indicators further reinforce this momentum. Flight search data shows an 80 percent increase in searches for Zimbabwe as a destination, while Bulawayo has recorded a 56 percent rise compared to previous years.

In addition, tourism growth is no longer limited to leisure travel alone.

The country is seeing expansion in business and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), as well as sports tourism, both domestically and internationally. These trends have been highlighted by international publications such as Forbes Magazine, positioning Zimbabwe as an increasingly competitive global destination.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing tourism products and service delivery.

Authorities say sustained investment, regional cooperation, and quality visitor experiences will remain central to efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s standing as a world-class tourism destination.