By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has announced that Zimbabwe and France have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in tourism development following a high-level courtesy meeting between Tourism Minister Hon. Barbara Rwodzi and French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Paul-Bertrand Barets.
In the discussions, Minister Rwodzi emphasized France’s growing role as Zimbabwe’s third largest European tourist source market, applauding its continued support in promoting the country’s cultural heritage. She commended France for its contribution to the rehabilitation of the Great Zimbabwe Monument and for facilitating the visit of the UNESCO Director-General earlier this year, which underscored Zimbabwe’s standing as a world-class cultural and heritage destination.
Looking ahead, the Minister revealed Zimbabwe’s participation at the upcoming IFTM Top Resa travel and tourism trade fair in Paris. She also unveiled plans for the newly established Africa International Academy for Culinary Arts, inviting French culinary institutions to collaborate in benchmarking and capacity building for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
Ambassador Barets, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Patron of Tourism, for her visit to France during UNESCO Gastronomy Week in May. He praised the successful hosting of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi Tourism Expo in the Eastern Highlands and highlighted the introduction of Air Zimbabwe’s French-built ATR flight to Mutare as a milestone in strengthening aviation and tourism connectivity.
The Ambassador also proposed new avenues of cooperation, including collaboration with Atout France—the country’s tourism development agency—and partnerships under the “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” initiative. This programme could see Zimbabwean villages twinned with some of France’s most picturesque communities, promoting rural tourism while enhancing cultural exchange.
The meeting was hailed as a milestone in tourism diplomacy, bringing together heritage preservation, gastronomy, innovation, and rural charm to weave a stronger partnership between Zimbabwe and France.