Antony Chawagarira
POLOKWANE – Zimbabwe’s tourism drive has received continental recognition after the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and its Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, won two major accolades at the 2026 Africa Tourism Leadership Awards held in Polokwane, South Africa.
The Ministry received the Bronze Award in the Leading in Progressive Policy category, recognising its efforts to develop progressive tourism policies and create an enabling environment for sustainable growth and investment.
Zimbabwe shared the award with Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, as well as the Rwanda Development Board.
This recognition comes as Zimbabwe continues to implement measures aimed at strengthening the tourism sector through sustainability, investment, innovation, and community participation.
Meanwhile, Minister Rwodzi was honoured with the Women in Leadership Award for her contribution to advancing Zimbabwe’s tourism agenda.
She was selected ahead of South Africa’s Soweto Travel Shop and Botswana’s Gorata Gabaraane of Fairground Holdings.
The winners were determined through an independently adjudicated and audited process conducted by BDO South Africa.
The two awards reinforce Zimbabwe’s growing profile as a leading tourism destination and underscore the government’s efforts to position the sector as a key driver of economic growth and development.
Tourism remains one of the country’s priority sectors, with Zimbabwe seeking to attract increased investment while expanding opportunities for communities to benefit from the industry.
The accolades also provide further impetus to the country’s efforts to promote its diverse tourism products and strengthen its competitiveness in African and international markets.
