Beyond traditional safaris, experts point to cultural distinction and unique experiences as the key to developing bankable projects
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – The blueprint for Zimbabwe’s next iconic tourism project is being drafted, and it looks beyond the well-trodden path of game drives and waterfall visits.
According to a framework presented at the Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi expo, the future of investment in the sector lies in identifying and developing unique assets that offer distinct experiences.
Taurai Duku, Head of Project Development, outlined the key attributes that make a tourism opportunity truly “bankable.”
While location and accessibility remain fundamental, the list heavily emphasises cultural distinction, unique activities & amenities, and positive environmental impact.
“We are moving beyond the generic. Investors are looking for projects that tell a story that can’t be told anywhere else,” Duku said.
“It’s about turning our natural, cultural, or historical assets into sustainable tourism products that stand out in a global market.”
This strategic shift points towards untapped potential across Zimbabwe’s diverse provinces. It could mean developing immersive cultural experiences centred around the history of the Great Zimbabwe ruins or the Matopos hills.
It could involve adventure tourism based on the dramatic landscapes of the Eastern Highlands, or specialised eco-tourism ventures that contribute to the conservation of specific species.
The process is intentionally top-down, starting from the National Development Strategy and trickling to provincial and local levels.
This, Duku says, ensures projects are strategically aligned and address the unique needs and opportunities of each region, rather than existing in isolation.
“The goal is a targeted approach,” he explained. “What is the unique need or challenge in Manicaland? What is the unrealised asset in Masvingo?
“By answering these questions, we can develop projects that are geographically relevant and community-focused, driving us toward Vision 2030.”
This approach invites a new wave of entrepreneurship. The call is for developers, communities, and innovators to look at their regions with fresh eyes—to identify not just landscapes, but narratives; not just wildlife, but unique conservation stories; not just culture, but immersive, authentic experiences.
For investors, this signals a coming pipeline of sophisticated, well-structured projects that offer more than just a return—they offer a chance to invest in the unique and sustainable story of Zimbabwe itself.
The next great tourism investment may not be another lodge, but a community-guided walking safari, a cultural festival-based resort, or a conservation-focused research tourism centre, waiting to be discovered.
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