By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
KARIBA – Zimbabwe has launched an ambitious five-year strategic plan to transform its tourism sector into a US$5 billion powerhouse by 2030, with the government promising a future where tourism growth delivers tangible benefits to communities and protects the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
The National Tourism Sector Strategic Plan 2026–2030 was unveiled during a stakeholder consultation workshop in Kariba, where senior government officials, tourism operators, civil society groups, and private sector players gathered to shape the sector’s future direction.
Speaking at the event, Mashonaland West Acting Provincial Tourism Head Ellison Chigerwe described the workshop as a turning point, saying the plan provides Zimbabwe with a clear roadmap for sustainable growth, competitiveness, inclusivity, and resilience.
“This consultation is a critical milestone in shaping the sector’s future,” Chigerwe said. “The National Tourism Sector Strategic Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable growth, competitiveness, inclusivity, and resilience.”
He emphasised that tourism is inherently multi-sectoral, meaning its success depends on strong collaboration across government departments, local authorities, the private sector, communities, and academia.
Eight Strategic Pillars for Transformation
The newly launched plan is organised around eight strategic pillars designed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s tourism competitiveness while improving service delivery and long-term resilience:
Creating a unified national tourism direction
Diversifying tourism products beyond traditional offerings
Improving service quality and visitor experience
Strengthening Zimbabwe’s global marketing and market positioning
Promoting responsible tourism that protects the environment and cultural heritage
Boosting infrastructure investment to improve access and visitor movement
Expanding market reach through targeted branding and promotion
Using technology and innovation to modernise the sector
Chigerwe stressed that the strategy encourages tourism development that balances growth with the protection of natural assets.
“Tourism must deliver inclusive benefits, create jobs, support small businesses, and safeguard our attractions for future generations,” he said.
In remarks that highlighted the local relevance of the plan, Chief Director for Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tarisai Musonza framed tourism as more than a leisure sector, calling it a catalyst for rural industrialisation, employment, and export earnings.
“Tourism creates opportunities where our natural and cultural heritage already exists, primarily in rural areas like Kariba,” Musonza said.
She added that the workshop underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that tourism expansion is inclusive, with communities positioned as key beneficiaries rather than passive bystanders.
The plan’s launch comes as Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues its recovery from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority recorded 1.45 million arrivals in 2024, up from 1.04 million in 2023, generating US$1.16 billion in revenue.
Tourism currently contributes approximately 4.1% to GDP and supports about 200,000 jobs, according to government-linked figures cited during discussions.
Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious target of reaching US$5 billion in annual tourism receipts by 2030, leveraging major attractions including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Victoria Falls, Mana Pools, Great Zimbabwe, and Matobo Hills.
For Kariba, the strategy recognises the area’s significant potential as a tourism hub driven by its natural offerings, including Lake Kariba – a draw for fishing, boating, and wildlife experiences.
Participants at the Kariba workshop also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve access and visitor flow, including upgrades at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Victoria Falls Airport, as well as development connected to the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.
The ministry also noted that the strategy is aligned with broader regional priorities, including SADC protocols and the AU Agenda 2063, reinforcing coordination beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
However, the workshop acknowledged that the sector faces serious challenges, particularly climate-related risks. Fluctuating water levels at Lake Kariba and Victoria Falls in recent years have affected both power generation and tourism activity, raising concerns about how the sector will sustain operations during environmental shocks.
Beyond policy and targets, officials stressed that success will depend on implementation grounded in local realities. Participants called for a plan that is technically sound, financially realistic, and responsive to changing tourist preferences.
As Zimbabwe moves into the next phase of tourism reform under the 2026–2030 strategy, stakeholders at the meeting suggested the country must focus not only on attracting visitors, but on ensuring that tourism development creates secure livelihoods, protects the environment, and delivers long-term value for communities in destinations like Kariba.
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