Staff Writer
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi has taken a lead to promote tourism investment among the Zimbabwean Diaspora in the United States of America as the country’s tourism sector gains momentum around the globe.
Said Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in a statement:
” Growing interest in investing in Zimbabwe’s Tourism Sector characterised the Zimbabwe Diaspora Tourism Investment Forum held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America, where members of the Zimbabwean Diaspora converged to explore Tourism Investment opportunities and embrace the Second Republic’s drive to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle income society by 2030.
“Officiated by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi, the Forum forms part of Government’s broader strategy to strengthen Diaspora engagement and accelerate Tourism-led Economic Transformation under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030). The Forum generated overwhelming interest from the Zimbabwe Atlanta community, with participants expressing a strong desire to invest back home and seeking clarity on opportunities across Zimbabwe’s Tourism value chain.”
Welcoming delegates, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United States of America, David Hamadziripi, commended Minister Rwodzi for elevating Destination Zimbabwe’s global profile through strategic Tourism marketing, which continues to earn Zimbabwe International recognition.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Rwodzi reaffirmed Government’s commitment to continuous Diaspora engagement through His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s Engagement and Re-engagement Foreign Policy, underpinned by Soft Diplomacy and the principle that “Zimbabwe is a Friend to All and an Enemy to None.” Guided by Vision 2030, Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, she said the Second Republic continues to implement inclusive Economic reforms founded on Devolution, Rural Industrialisation and the philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, while recognising the Diaspora as a strategic partner in National Development.
The Minister applauded Zimbabweans in the United States for their invaluable contribution to the economy, noting that the United States-based Diaspora contributes approximately 12% of Zimbabwe’s remittance inflows, while Diaspora remittances have remained a key pillar of economic resilience over the past three years.
She called on Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to transform remittances into Economic Investments back home, particularly within the Tourism Sector, which she described as a low-hanging fruit and high-impact Investment Sector under the Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra.
She highlighted Investment opportunities in Accommodation, Conference Facilities, Rural Tourism, Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Renewable Energy, Waste Management and Community-Based Tourism, supported by improved Air Connectivity and the Ministry’s Tourism Cluster Strategy. Complementing the Minister’s presentation, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority delivered presentations showcasing Zimbabwe’s competitive Investment opportunities across the Tourism value chain, further reinforcing the country’s attractive Investment climate.