By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — As Zimbabwe charts its course towards becoming an Upper-Middle-Income Society by 2030, one sector has been identified as central to that ambition: tourism.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum, held during the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi reaffirmed that tourism sits at the “very heart” of Vision 2030—the national blueprint that seeks to transform Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income economy within the next four years.
Hon Joana Mamombe attending Zimbabwe Investment Forum
A Sector Poised for Transformation
“The numbers tell a compelling story. In the first half of 2026 alone, tourism investment surged by 229 percent to reach US$132.3 million.
“Tourist arrivals climbed to 6.4 million, while tourism receipts grew by 6 percent to US$537 million. Domestic tourism trips increased by 27 percent, reflecting growing confidence among Zimbabweans to explore their own country,” she noted.
These figures represent more than statistics. They are the building blocks of a sector that has demonstrated remarkable resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic and is now firmly on a recovery and growth trajectory.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, delivering the keynote address at the Investment Forum, noted that tourism is no longer simply about hotels, game drives, and sightseeing.
“Tourism today is technology, infrastructure, real estate, aviation, finance, entertainment, culture, creativity,” he said.
“It is therefore one of the most powerful platforms through which Zimbabwe can drive inclusive economic growth.”
Linkages Across the Economy
Tourism’s strategic importance lies in its ability to create linkages across multiple sectors. Every hotel room constructed creates demand for food, transport, laundry, construction materials, technology, entertainment, and professional services. When Zimbabwe invests in tourism, it is investing across the entire economy.
The government has set ambitious targets. Approximately US$500 million worth of hotel infrastructure projects are at various stages of development, all set to be completed by 2030.
ZTA Board chairperson Farai Chimba
Harare alone has approximately 2,593 hotel rooms under construction, 2,402 rooms at tender or financial-closure stage, and a further 2,000 rooms in greenfield projects.
If these projects materialise, the city’s accommodation inventory could rise from approximately 11,854 to 18,849 rooms, bringing Zimbabwe closer to the 20,000 rooms required to support major international events such as IATF 2029.
Institutional Capital Recognising Tourism
Perhaps the strongest signal of tourism’s emergence as a viable asset class is the growing participation of pension funds and institutional investors. Organizations including the ZESA Pension Fund, the Government Pension Fund, Old Mutual, and the NRZ Pension Fund are increasingly finding their way into tourism and hospitality assets.
The Public Service Commission Pension Fund is investing in tourism assets through the acquisition of the Monomotapa Hotel and Ruparara Valley Lodge. The Unified Councils Pension Fund and Mining Industry Pension Fund are collaborating on a four-star hotel development in Victoria Falls.
“These are important developments because they demonstrate a fundamental fact: that Zimbabwean institutional capital is beginning to recognise tourism as a viable, long-term asset class,” Minister Ncube said.
Global Brands Taking Notice
International hospitality brands are also taking notice. Companies such as Accor, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons, Radisson Blu, and Hilton are expanding their presence and investment footprint in the country.
Their investment brings more than international brands—it brings global standards, distribution networks, technology, skills, market access, and increased investor confidence.
President Mnangagwa’s recent engagement in Dubai with Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, the developer behind the Burj Khalifa, has opened avenues for major premium hospitality and luxury hotel investments in Zimbabwe.
Delegates attending the forum pics by Lovejoy Mutongwizo
The Road Ahead
As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 ambition, tourism will play a critical role. The sector’s ability to generate foreign currency, create employment, attract investment, and stimulate infrastructure development positions it as a cornerstone of the national development agenda.
“The opportunity is national, the ambition must be national, and the investment must be transformational,” Minister Ncube said.
“Let us move from potential to projects, from projects to investment, from investment to businesses, and from businesses to jobs and sustainable economic growth.”
With the momentum building and the investment pipeline filling up, Zimbabwe’s journey to Upper-Middle-Income status is being powered, in significant part, by the tourism sector.
#Vision2030 #TourismInvestment #UpperMiddleIncome #ZimbabweTourism #Sanganai2026
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