By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — September is World Tourism Month, and Zimbabwe is using the occasion to send a powerful message: tourism is not just an industry—it is a tool for economic transformation.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Honourable Barbara Rwodzi launched World Tourism Month 2026 on 2 September, declaring that the month-long programme is about “using tourism to drive development”.
“We are not simply celebrating tourism; we are using tourism to drive development,” Minister Rwodzi said in her press briefing.
“Through Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe, Sports Tourism, World Tourism Day and the wider September programme, we are creating platforms to attract investment, expand markets, promote domestic tourism, empower communities and strengthen the tourism value chain”.
Masvingo Takes Centre Stage
The launch of Tourism Month is particularly significant this year because the government is taking the tourism narrative beyond traditional centres and bringing it directly to the provinces.
Masvingo Province will take centre stage as host of the World Tourism Day Main Celebrations on 27 September 2026.
The hosting of the 19th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo in Masvingo from 9 to 12 September represents an important milestone in the devolved approach to tourism development, ensuring that “no one and no place is left behind”.
A Month of Activities
The Tourism Month programme kicked off with the September Sports Tourism Carnival from 1 to 4 September, followed by the Street Carnival on 5 September, before the main Expo.
The month will culminate in the United Nations World Tourism Day celebrations on 27 September 2026.
World Tourism Day, observed annually under the auspices of UN Tourism, provides the international community with an opportunity to recognise the transformative contribution of tourism to economic growth, employment, cultural development, environmental sustainability and inclusive development.
A Strategic Vision
Minister Rwodzi emphasised that tourism occupies a strategic position in President Mnangagwa’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“Under this vision, tourism is not merely an industry; it is a powerful instrument for economic transformation, investment mobilisation, employment creation, community empowerment, infrastructure development and sustainable development,” she said.
A Global Platform
Through the National Development Strategy 2, Government is committed to unlocking the immense value of Zimbabwe’s natural, cultural, historical and heritage assets and positioning tourism as a major contributor to the attainment of Vision 2030.
The national vision calls for a tourism sector that goes beyond attracting visitors, building a globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable tourism economy that creates opportunities for people, stimulates enterprise across all provinces, attracts investment, strengthens local communities and generates value throughout the economy.
Zimbabwe Open for Business
“Our message is clear: Zimbabwe is open for tourism, open for investment and ready to take its rightful place as a globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable tourism destination,” Minister Rwodzi said.
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