Staff Writer
Zimbabwe has taken its tourism and investment proposition to the global market, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa leading the country’s engagement with American business leaders and investors during the Zimbabwe Business Forum in New York.
The forum was held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) under the theme “Global Challenges. Zimbabwean Solutions. Shared Prosperity.”
Tourism featured prominently at the business forum, with President Mnangagwa inviting American travellers and investors to experience Zimbabwe’s diverse heritage, wildlife and cultural attractions, including Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.
Presenting Zimbabwe’s tourism and investment proposition, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer Dr George Manyaya said the country had the capacity to provide visitors with a comprehensive tourism experience supported by a broad range of products and services.
Manyaya said Zimbabwe’s tourism offering could be understood through the Six A’s of Tourism — Attractions, Accessibility, Accommodation, Amenities, Activities and Ancillary Services.
He said the combination of these elements positioned Zimbabwe to provide a complete tourism experience while creating opportunities for investment across the tourism value chain.
Manyaya also highlighted the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, a 1 200-hectare development designated for tourism and financial services, as one of the major investment opportunities being presented to international investors.
He said a comprehensive feasibility study for bulk infrastructure at Masuwe had been completed, while the cadastral survey for the first 271.5-hectare phase had also been completed.
According to Manyaya, the development presented opportunities for investors seeking to participate in the expansion of tourism-related infrastructure and services.
Manyaya further identified the United States as a strategically important market for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, describing it as the country’s largest international tourist source market.
The New York business forum therefore provided an opportunity for Zimbabwe to directly engage American stakeholders on tourism products, investment opportunities and potential partnerships.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi also attended the forum and participated in business-to-business engagements aimed at strengthening tourism and investment linkages between Zimbabwe and the American market.
The engagements form part of Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to promote the country as an investment and tourism destination, while positioning its natural, cultural and heritage assets for increased international visibility.
Through the New York engagement, Zimbabwe sought to connect its tourism attractions and investment opportunities with the global market under its broader “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” message.