By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
ATLANTA, Georgia – Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is ripe for investment and represents the most accessible entry point for diaspora capital, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, has told a gathering of Zimbabwean investors in the United States.
Addressing the Zimbabwe Diaspora Tourism Investment Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Minister Rwodzi positioned tourism as a “low-hanging fruit and high-impact investment sector” under the Second Republic’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra.
The Forum, which drew overwhelming interest from the Zimbabwean community in Atlanta, forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen diaspora engagement and accelerate tourism-led economic transformation under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030).
Untapped Opportunities Across the Value Chain
The Minister outlined a diverse range of investment opportunities spanning the entire tourism value chain, urging attendees to look beyond traditional hotel investments.
Key areas highlighted included:
Accommodation and Conference Facilities – Meeting growing demand for business and leisure travel infrastructure.
Rural Tourism – Tapping into Zimbabwe’s pristine natural landscapes and rural communities.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism – Capitalising on the country’s rich historical and cultural assets, including Great Zimbabwe and Khami Ruins.
Gastronomy Tourism – Promoting Zimbabwean cuisine and culinary experiences as a unique draw.
Renewable Energy – Powering tourism facilities with sustainable energy solutions.
Waste Management – Addressing environmental sustainability in tourism hubs.
Community-Based Tourism – Ensuring local communities benefit directly from tourism growth.
“The tourism sector is a low-hanging fruit,” Minister Rwodzi declared. “It requires relatively shorter lead times to yield returns compared to other heavy industries, and it has a multiplier effect across agriculture, transport, and the arts.”
Improved Connectivity and Institutional Support
Complementing the Minister’s presentation, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company, and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority delivered detailed presentations showcasing competitive investment opportunities across the tourism value chain.
The Minister noted that improved air connectivity, coupled with the Ministry’s Tourism Cluster Strategy, is creating a more enabling environment for investors.
Diaspora Remittances: From Consumption to Investment
The Minister applauded the United States-based Zimbabwean diaspora, which contributes approximately 12% of Zimbabwe’s total remittance inflows, for their invaluable contribution to the national economy.
However, she issued a clarion call for diaspora Zimbabweans to transform remittances from consumption into productive economic investments.
“Diaspora remittances have remained a key pillar of economic resilience over the past three years,” she said. “Imagine the transformative impact if we channel even a fraction of these funds into tourism infrastructure, hospitality training, and conservation projects.”
Overwhelming Interest from Atlanta Community
Participants at the Forum expressed a strong desire to invest back home, with many seeking clarity on regulatory frameworks, land tenure, financing options, and repatriation of profits.
Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United States, His Excellency David Hamadziripi, welcomed the delegates and commended Minister Rwodzi for elevating Destination Zimbabwe’s global profile through strategic tourism marketing, which continues to earn Zimbabwe international recognition.
The Bigger Picture
The Forum is part of the Government’s broader strategy under the Second Republic to recognise the diaspora as a strategic partner in national development.
Guided by Vision 2030, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Government continues to implement inclusive economic reforms founded on devolution, rural industrialisation, and the philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
For the Atlanta-based Zimbabweans who packed the venue, the message was clear: the door is open, the opportunities are real, and tourism is the place to start.
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