By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
London, UK — While the majestic Victoria Falls and major city hotels often dominate tourism investment conversations, Zimbabwe is quietly sitting on a goldmine of heritage, cultural and rural tourism—and the government wants the Diaspora to lead the charge in developing it.
Speaking at a high-level Diaspora Engagement Forum and Dinner at Zimbabwe House in London, as the curtains came down on the World Travel Market (WTM) 2026, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, called on Zimbabweans living abroad to look beyond the traditional hotspots and invest in the country’s rich cultural and rural tourism.
The event, attended by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Col. (Rtd) Christian Katsande, and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Dr. George Manyaya, was a clarion call for the Diaspora to move beyond remittances and actively participate in the country’s economic transformation.
A “Low-Hanging” Sector with Diverse Opportunities
Minister Rwodzi emphasized that tourism is a “low-hanging sector,” offering a direct and accessible pathway for the Diaspora to contribute to Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
While she highlighted the 13 Tourism Clusters—which include massive opportunities in accommodation infrastructure around the Mosi-oa-Tunya development in Victoria Falls and conference facilities in Harare ahead of the AfCFTA 2029 summit—she placed a distinct spotlight on Cultural, Heritage, and Rural Tourism.
For the Diaspora, these sectors offer a unique, emotionally resonant opportunity. Instead of just investing in high-end real estate, Zimbabweans abroad are being invited to invest in the very communities that raised them.
“Tourism has the capacity to generate employment, empower communities, expand enterprise opportunities and transform livelihoods,” Minister Rwodzi told the gathering, assuring prospective investors of the Government’s readiness to facilitate their projects.
Connecting the Diaspora to the Motherland
The push for rural and cultural tourism investment aligns perfectly with the Second Republic’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
By channeling diaspora capital into rural tourism—such as eco-lodges, cultural villages, heritage trails, and community-based hospitality projects—Zimbabweans abroad can directly stimulate local economies, create jobs in remote areas, and help stem rural-to-urban migration.
Zimbabwe boasts a wealth of heritage sites, from the ancient stone walls of Great Zimbabwe to the rock art of the Matobo Hills, alongside vibrant traditional cultures and breathtaking rural landscapes that remain largely underdeveloped for tourism.
Minister Rwodzi conveyed the deep appreciation of His Excellency, President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, for the Diaspora remittances that have sustained the economy over the years.
However, she underscored the President’s keen interest in seeing these financial lifelines complemented by direct, job-creating investment back home.
Ambassador Katsande echoed these sentiments, applauding the Diaspora’s continued contribution to national development and encouraging stronger engagement between Zimbabweans abroad, the Government, and the private sector.
A Lasting Legacy
For many in the Diaspora, investing in cultural and rural tourism is more than just a business opportunity; it is a way to preserve their heritage and build a lasting legacy.
By taking up the Minister’s challenge, Zimbabweans in the UK and beyond can help transform rural communities into thriving tourism destinations, ensuring that the benefits of the global travel boom reach every corner of the motherland.
As Zimbabwe positions itself as a premier global destination, it is clear that the future of its tourism industry isn’t just in its iconic landmarks, but in the living, breathing culture and heritage of its people—a future the Diaspora is uniquely positioned to help build.
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