By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Harare — Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality sector must invest aggressively in youth training if it is to remain globally competitive and future-proof, Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi has said.
Addressing the 2025 Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Summit in Harare, the Minister represented by Permanent Secretary Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, stressed that human capital development was one of the five pillars critical for sustaining the country’s tourism growth.
“Our young people are the heart of hospitality,” Rwodzi said. “We need to train not only for today’s service needs, but also for tomorrow’s innovation.”
She called for closer collaboration between industry and academic institutions to address skill gaps, particularly in newer areas such as digital hospitality, green tourism, and the emerging gastronomy sector championed by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Rwodzi noted that Zimbabwe’s tourism growth — including a 9% increase in international arrivals and a 20.9% rise in domestic travel between January and September 2025 — must be matched by a workforce capable of meeting rising international expectations.
“With Zimbabwe gaining global recognition, including Forbes naming us among the best places to visit in 2025, the demand for high-quality service delivery will only grow,” she said.
“We must prepare our youth to manage tomorrow’s hotels, design tomorrow’s experiences, and lead tomorrow’s destinations.”
Industry leaders echoed the Minister’s call, stressing that investment in youth skills was essential for productivity, competitiveness and service excellence.
The Summit continued with breakout sessions exploring innovative training models, mentorship programmes and partnerships aimed at equipping young hospitality professionals for the digital-first tourism era.
About Author
