By Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
ZIMBABWE’S tourism sector could receive a major boost following indications by Emirates Airlines that it is considering launching direct flights between Dubai and Victoria Falls, subject to a technical assessment of the destination’s airport infrastructure.
The development emerged from high-level engagements between Zimbabwean Government officials and Emirates executives on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The proposed route is aimed at tapping into the estimated five to six million passengers who transit through Dubai annually, significantly expanding Zimbabwe’s access to global tourism markets.
Zimbabwe’s growing international profile has been bolstered by its recognition by Forbes magazine as the number one must-visit destination in 2025, a development that has added momentum to discussions at the summit.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, who was a panellist at the World Governments Summit Roundtable on the Future of Tourism, confirmed that Emirates had responded positively to Zimbabwe’s proposal.
“We are happy that Emirates executives have agreed on our proposal to have their airline fly straight from Dubai to Victoria Falls, which is at the centre of KAZA,” Minister Rwodzi said. “Their technical team will be flying into Zimbabwe to assess the airport and ensure it meets their requirements.”
She said the route would unlock access to a large pool of long-haul travellers connecting through Dubai.
“We want to tap into five to six million passengers who connect in Dubai, for example from Dallas, Texas, to Dubai and then direct to Victoria Falls. We are excited about this development,” she said.
Zimbabwe also registered key diplomatic and development gains at the summit, having been elected Chairperson of the World Governing Council for Sustainable Development Goal Number Two, Zero Hunger.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, said the appointment placed Zimbabwe in a strong position to share its experiences in agricultural transformation and rural development.
“Zimbabwe is now well positioned to share its experiences in agricultural transformation, rural development and rural industrialisation in pursuit of Vision 2030,” Dr Masuka said. “At household level, the Sustainable Intensive Conservation Agriculture Model, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, has now been expanded to cover one million hectares, representing a 48 percent increase on the 2024–2025 season.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance, Investment Promotion and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said Zimbabwe’s engagement with the Global South continued to strengthen.
“Zimbabwe’s relations with the Global South are strengthening from day to day,” Prof Ncube said. “With the UAE, India, China, Indonesia and Malaysia, we are building strong relations, particularly with countries closer to us in terms of development levels. We are learning in areas such as railway systems, public transport and tourism development, while also sharing our own experiences.”
The World Governments Summit 2026 attracted more than 6 000 participants, including over 40 heads of state and government, more than 150 government delegations and over 20 heads of international and regional organisations.
Discussions at the summit focused on global governance and leadership, societal wellbeing, economic growth and investment, urban futures, demographics and emerging global trends.
