. . . Great Zimbabwe Hotel GM Aretha Takaza tells CEO’s Roundtable that tourism growth begins and ends with the private sector
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — Private sector operators must stop waiting for Government to drive tourism development and instead take the lead in safeguarding the products they sell, a Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) representative has said.
Speaking at the CEO’s Roundtable on the sidelines of the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo on 9 September 2026, Aretha Takaza, HAZ representative and General Manager at Great Zimbabwe Hotel, challenged her peers to rethink their relationship with Government and tourism boards.
“The private sector requires from Government and the tourism boards so that we expand not just investment on structure, on infrastructure, but also even within our human resource, human capital development and also even cultural wise,” Takaza said.
But she was quick to add that the sector must first look inward.
“I believe that for starters we need to begin to look at ourselves as the private sector instead of always thinking what can Government do for us.
“Because we already have the resources, we are already in the different destinations, we do understand what we offer, we understand the challenges that we have, we also know the opportunities that we have.”
A Blueprint Before a Handout
Aretha Takaza urged operators to develop their own blueprint for sustainable tourism before approaching Government for support.
“So, I believe that instead of us just saying okay the Government, the Government, but what are we doing as the private sector to safeguard the products that we are selling and then when we have come up with a blueprint we can then approach the Government just for governance to say okay this is what we intend to do in this nation, guide us in terms of how we can go about it,” she said.
She was unequivocal about where the responsibility lies.
“But everything I believe begins and ends with the private sector because after all we are the ones that are already benefiting in these destinations.”
What Are We Giving Back?
Takaza tied the private sector’s responsibility directly to the concept of sustainable tourism, arguing that operators who profit from community resources must give back.
“So, when we speak of sustainable tourism these are some of the issues that we are talking about, to say what are we giving back to these communities where we are already exploiting their resources as Great Zimbabwe, so we are benefiting through the Great Zimbabwe monument,” she said.
“So, the question is what am I going to do for me to give back to the same community that is giving me revenues and then whatever it is that I have I then take it to the Government just for support and for governance.”
A Timely Message
Takaza’s intervention came as Government ministers at the Expo emphasised the need for private sector-led growth.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told the forum that Government alone cannot unlock the country’s tourism potential.
“Unlocking these opportunities will require large pools of patient, long-term capital. Government cannot do it alone.
“ We need pension funds, banks, development finance institutions, private equity, international investors, strategic partners and innovative financing models,” Prof Ncube said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira similarly positioned the private sector as a key partner in his economic diplomacy framework, calling for joint ventures with the diaspora and international investors.
Industry Context
Takaza’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment within Zimbabwe’s tourism industry that the sector must become more self-reliant in project preparation, community engagement and product development — with Government playing a supportive rather than directive role.
The CEO’s Roundtable brought together captains of the tourism and hospitality industry to discuss investment opportunities and challenges ahead of the Expo’s official opening.
With Zimbabwe targeting approximately US$500 million in hotel infrastructure investment and preparing to host major international events such as IATF 2029, the private sector’s capacity to lead will be critical.
Takaza’s message was simple: the private sector already has the resources, the knowledge and the presence. What it needs now is the will to act.
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