By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Harare — Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has called on Zimbabwe’s tourism players to focus on building a long-term legacy that extends far beyond the 2025 recovery targets, stressing the need for resilience, innovation and collective action.
In a speech read on her behalf by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Permanent Secretary Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, at the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Leadership Summit and Annual General Meeting in Harare, Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe’s tourism sector had entered a defining moment after becoming the country’s leading contributor to GDP, surpassing mining and agriculture.
“With global attention now fixed on Zimbabwe, especially after our Forbes nomination as the best country to visit in 2025, the challenge before us is to build not just an industry, but a legacy,” she said.
Rwodzi emphasised that a sustainable future for tourism depended on stronger partnerships between government and the private sector.
She highlighted recent government interventions — including slashing tourism fees by up to 50% — as part of efforts to improve competitiveness and ease of doing business in the sector.
“Our momentum is building, and the world is taking notice,” she said. “We must prepare boldly, collaboratively and sustainably to ensure that tourism lights the path to national prosperity.”
The Minister also praised the resilience of operators who continued to promote Zimbabwe despite economic disruptions, pandemics and climate shocks.
She urged HAZ to remain the industry’s unified voice in championing high standards, market intelligence and investment.
“We have the people, the assets, and the passion,” she said. “Let us work hand-in-hand to unlock the full potential of Zimbabwean tourism.”
She declared the 2025 HAZ Summit officially open, while encouraging the industry to seize the opportunity to shape Zimbabwe’s tourism identity for generations to come.
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