HARARE, (New Ziana – The tourism sector is making a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which has almost tripled in size from US$16 billion in 2018 to US$44 billion this year, President Mnangagwa said on Monday.
He made the remarks whilst officially launching the tourism and hospitality industry policy, a transformative blueprint expected to further boost one of the country’s fastest-growing economic sectors and strengthen its contribution to national development in the capital.
“This event is occurring at a time when the tourism and hospitality industry has become one of the key contributors to the national GDP, after the manufacturing, agriculture and mining sectors. “This has seen the tourism sector playing its part in the increase of our GDP from US$16 billion in 2018 to the current levels of over US$44 billion,” said President Mnangagwa.
He described the policy as a milestone for the nation, saying it comes at a time when tourism has emerged as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, alongside agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. He said the newly launched policy forms part of a broader Tourism and Hospitality Industry Growth Strategy adopted by the Second Republic to consolidate Zimbabwe’s upward economic trajectory.
It seeks to provide a robust framework for sustainable tourism development while ensuring that the socio-economic benefits reach communities across both rural and urban Zimbabwe. “We commend all stakeholders who made sure people and communities are central to this policy, in line with Section 13 of our Constitution and the Tourism Act,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said the development and promotion of tourism must remain guided by the country’s development philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo” — loosely translated as “A country is built, governed, and prayed for by its citizens.” He emphasised that tourism must be inclusive, environmentally responsible, and deeply rooted in Zimbabwe’s cultural values and heritage.
The policy outlines several strategic priorities, among them, the adoption of innovative strategies to develop and market tourism, strengthening human capacity in hospitality and tourism, expanding physical and digital infrastructure, enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks to improve the ease of doing business and promoting regional and international partnerships.
In line with Zimbabwe’s “whole-of-government” approach, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will work collaboratively to implement the policy, with the private sector and communities playing vital roles, President Mnangagwa said.
He noted a number of encouraging developments already underway, including increased investment in hospitality infrastructure, such as high-quality Airbnbs, upgrades at major airports and border posts, refurbishment of flagship hotels like Rainbow Tourism Group, Cresta Hotels, and Africa Sun, ongoing work on roads critical to tourism hubs, including the Beitbridge-Chirundu and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls corridors and construction of a 10,000-seater Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls’ Masuwe Special Economic Zone.
As part of a decentralised development approach, President Mnangagwa applauded the decision to host the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Manicaland Province, and urged further support for regional festivals like Intwasa in Bulawayo, Budula in Chikombedzi, Nan Festival of the Arts in Chipinge, and the Nyanga Arts Festival.
He challenged the sector to respond to the changing demographics of both domestic and international travellers by developing theme parks, amusement centres, and science parks, while leveraging digital platforms and multilingual marketing strategies to expand global reach. President Mnangagwa urged the industry to retain a strong cultural identity in its offerings.
“Let us remain anchored in our Zimbabwean traditions and values.We are Zimbabwean and African — that is what we must proudly offer to the world. Never apologise for who we are,” he said.
New Ziana
