By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe has been accorded the opportunity to host the Third United Nations (UN) Women in Tourism Regional Congress in 2026, following a successful bid at the 68th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa meeting in Nigeria.
This achievement positions Zimbabwe as a leading tourism destination on the continent and highlights its growing influence in global tourism discussions.
In addition to hosting the congress, Zimbabwe’s Destination was re-elected as vice president of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, scheduled for November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The re-election signals international confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism initiatives, notably driven by the advocacy of First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa. Her programs, including Gastronomy Tourism, Women’s Market Galore, Farm to Market, Agri4She, and AgroTourism4She, have played a pivotal role in elevating Zimbabwe’s profile.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, emphasized the country’s rapid rise as a tourism hotspot for Africa.
She pointed to Zimbabwe’s successful hosting of the UN Gastronomy Conference last year as evidence of its growing stature.
“Tourism is more than traveling to visit historical sites, waterfalls, mountains, and parks. It is an engine of local economies transformed by technology and creativity. African nations need to redefine their global identity through the vibrance of their people, rich cultural heritage, and natural endowments. Zimbabwe is indeed the new frontier in world tourism, given its huge potential and limitless opportunities for innovation and creativity,” she said.
The summit, themed “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism via Innovation, AI, and Creative Industries in Africa,” aimed to showcase Africa’s potential to leverage innovation and technology for economic growth. Attended by ministers, delegates from 51 African nations, and global tourism leaders, the gathering underscored the importance of sustainability and cultural identity in shaping Africa’s tourism future.
Zimbabwe’s strong showing in the voting process, surpassing countries like Kenya, Seychelles, Zambia, Angola, Morocco, South Africa, Mozambique, and Tunisia, reflects its rising prominence in the tourism sector. This recognition comes amid broader efforts to position Africa as a hub for innovative, inclusive, and sustainable tourism.
While the global tourism industry is valued at over US$11 trillion, Africa’s share remains small less than five percent of global revenue and under one percent of creative exports.