By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the country’s economy, contributing significantly to a surge in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which has grown from US\$16 billion in 2018 to US\$44 billion in 2025, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced yesterday.
The President made these remarks while officially launching the country’s new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy, a transformative framework aimed at boosting one of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing sectors and strengthening its role in national development.
“This event comes at a time when tourism and hospitality have become key contributors to national GDP, alongside manufacturing, agriculture, and mining,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The sector has helped drive our GDP from US\$16 billion in 2018 to over US\$44 billion today.”
He hailed the newly launched policy as a milestone, noting that tourism now stands as a central pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic strategy under the Second Republic.
The policy is a key component of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Growth Strategy, designed to sustain Zimbabwe’s upward economic momentum.
The new policy aims to create a robust and sustainable tourism framework that delivers socio-economic benefits to communities across both urban and rural areas.
“We commend all stakeholders who ensured the policy centres on people and communities, in line with Section 13 of our Constitution and the Tourism Act,” the President said.
He stressed that the sector’s development must align with the national philosophy:
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” which he translated as “A country is built, governed, and prayed for by its citizens.”
Tourism, he added, must be inclusive, environmentally responsible, and grounded in Zimbabwe’s cultural values and heritage.
President Mnangagwa also praised decentralisation efforts such as the decision to host the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Manicaland Province and encouraged more support for regional cultural festivals including Intwasa (Bulawayo), Budula (Chikombedzi), Nan Festival of the Arts (Chipinge), and the Nyanga Arts Festival.
Calling on the industry to adapt to changing travel trends, he urged investment in theme parks, science parks, amusement centres, and the use of digital platforms and multilingual marketing to attract global audiences.
“Let us remain anchored in our Zimbabwean traditions and values. We are Zimbabwean and African that is what we must proudly offer to the world. Never apologise for who we are,” he concluded.