By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Thousands of kilometres from home, in the heart of Melbourne, a powerful movement is taking shape—one that could redefine the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
The inaugural Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment and Business Opportunities Forum in Australia has opened a new chapter in the country’s tourism story, proving that distance doesn’t diminish connection. In fact, it may just strengthen it.
Leading a high-powered delegation through a Whole-of-Government approach, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi, alongside Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Australia His Excellency J.T. Mhishi, rallied the diaspora community to look homeward—not with nostalgia, but with investment.
They were joined by officials from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) , Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company (MOTDC) , Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) , and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) —a united front showcasing a nation ready for business.
A Call from the President
Addressing an audience of Zimbabweans who’ve built lives abroad, Minister Rwodzi carried a message from the highest office: His Excellency President Mnangagwa appreciates the diaspora’s enduring contribution to national development.
But appreciation, she emphasised, is just the beginning. The real invitation is to invest—and the timing couldn’t be better.
With tourism contributing a robust 10 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2026 alone, Zimbabwe is proving that its tourism sector isn’t just recovering—it’s thriving. And the opportunities are as diverse as the country’s landscapes.
From the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls to the ancient stone walls of Great Zimbabwe, from the wildlife-rich plains of Hwange to the emerging niche of Gastronomy Tourism—championed by the Tourism Patron, Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa—investors were given a clear picture: Zimbabwe is open, welcoming, and ready to partner.
A Taste of Home, A Vision for the Future
The forum didn’t just talk about investment—it celebrated culture. The evening concluded with a Gastronomy Dinner that was nothing short of a love letter to Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage.
Traditional dishes, rich in flavour and history, filled the room, offering a taste of home to those far away.
But more than a meal, it was a networking platform—a space where connections were forged, partnerships discussed, and deals imagined.
Because when you share food, you share trust. And trust is the foundation of investment.
A New Era of Diaspora-Driven Tourism
This forum marks a strategic shift: the diaspora is no longer just a source of remittances—it’s a source of vision, capital, and global connections.
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, already on an upward trajectory, now has a powerful new ally in its sons and daughters abroad.
As the sun set over Melbourne, one thing was clear: the road to Zimbabwe’s tourism future runs through its people—wherever they may be.
And they are answering the call.
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