By Violet Mashonga
Zimbabwe is stepping up efforts to empower women and youth in the tourism sector as part of broader initiatives to drive economic growth and achieve national development targets under Vision 2030.
This emerged during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Cooksley Hall on March 9, where government officials, tourism stakeholders and community leaders gathered to discuss strategies aimed at decentralising tourism benefits and promoting greater participation by women and young people.
The meeting heard that the establishment of provincial structures for women and youth in tourism is intended to expand opportunities in the sector and ensure communities across the country benefit from tourism activities.
Representing Permanent Secretary Takaruza Munyanyiwa, Gladys Chinyerere emphasised the government’s commitment to positioning tourism as a key pillar for job creation, economic growth and national development.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Farai Mavhima, who represented Permanent Secretary Josephat Jaji.
Officials said empowering women and youth would help shift their role from simply participating in tourism activities to owning and leading tourism enterprises.
The sector is also expected to leverage digital technologies, social media and environmentally sustainable innovations to remain competitive in the global tourism market.
Zimbabwe is set to host the Second United Nations Tourism Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa in May 2026, a move expected to further strengthen the country’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable tourism development.
Authorities believe these initiatives will help unlock the full potential of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector while creating more opportunities for communities and contributing to long-term economic growth.
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