This exclusive event aimed to celebrate Zimbabwe's thriving tourism sector while showcasing opportunities for travel and investment.

The forum brought together industry leaders, partners, and visionaries, reflecting a collective commitment to promoting Zimbabwe's unique tourism offerings. Zimbabwe's Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, highlighted the importance of South Africa as a critical market for Zimbabwean tourism.

"South Africa is our biggest market when it comes to international tourism, especially regional tourism. We realized many visitors to Zimbabwe are domestic tourists in the sense that they are Zimbabweans living in South Africa," said Rwodzi.

The forum aimed to engage the Zimbabwean diaspora, showcasing the country's travel destinations and encouraging family visits during the festive season. “In Zimbabwe, it’s a tradition for families to visit each other over Christmas. It’s our duty to provide them with options on where they can go and enjoy with their families,” Rwodzi added.

The minister also highlighted the financial significance of the Zimbabwean diaspora, describing their contributions as a vital economic driver. “Diasporans across the world are the largest contributors to foreign currency inflows through remittances sent to their families and friends. This money surpasses foreign direct investment,” she noted.

The forum also served as a platform to promote tourism-related investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. “We are presenting tourism as a low-hanging fruit for investment. We’re showing them where to invest, how to do it, and the incentives available for them to take advantage of,” Rwodzi said.


--ChannelAfrica--