Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE is poised to host a series of high-level global tourism meetings in Victoria Falls, with a visiting UN Tourism Assessment Mission expressing confidence in the country’s readiness ahead of the events later this month.
The country will host the 23rd UN Committee on Tourism and Sustainability meeting from April 27, followed by the 2nd Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa from April 29 to May 1, gatherings expected to shape the future of sustainable and inclusive tourism across the continent.
UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, Ms Elcia Grandcourt, gave a strong endorsement of Zimbabwe’s preparedness, citing compliance with international standards.
“We can confirm full operational readiness, including venues and accommodation. All facilities meet top international standards and sustainability benchmarks, positioning Zimbabwe as an outstanding example of a top-tier eco-friendly tourism destination in Africa and beyond. The CTS Meeting in Victoria Falls marks a key milestone toward the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027, and a turning point where global commitment to sustainable tourism moves decisively from vision to implementation. High-level participation by CTS Members and Regional Commission Chairs will elevate ambition and accelerate global alignment on sustainable tourism. The launch of the Steering Committee in Zimbabwe establishes a dedicated mechanism to guide delivery of the International Year by ensuring continuity, coherence, and coordination across national, regional, and global initiatives,” she said.
The second congress, to be held under the patronage of First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, will focus on advancing women’s leadership in tourism, building on previous editions held in Accra and Freetown.
“Building on the foundations laid in Accra, Ghana (2019), and in Freetown, Sierra Leone (2024), the Congress in Zimbabwe shifts the focus from empowerment to institutional leadership. Held under the patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Congress aims to catalyse policies and partnerships that elevate women into leadership and governance roles in tourism. The Congress will position women not only as participants, but as architects shaping the future of Africa’s tourism landscape. The Congress is fully aligned with: UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality), UN Women Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and UN Tourism Agenda for Africa Tourism for Inclusive Growth,” Ms Grandcourt said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said government is adopting a whole-of-government approach to ensure the successful hosting of the events.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been working closely with UN Tourism and, through the Whole of Government Approach, with other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the successful hosting of the UN Tourism High Level Events. The Assessment Mission has been both productive and encouraging. The visiting delegation engaged with our Technical Teams to review the General Programme of the upcoming events. These discussions allowed for alignment on expectations and scheduling of the events. In addition to these consultations, we also conducted site inspections of the designated hotels to be used during the events. These inspections focused on assessing standards of service, capacity and overall readiness to host delegates. Furthermore, the Mission included detailed engagements with the selected venue hotel. On behalf of the Ministry, I am pleased to report that, throughout the Preliminary Mission, the visiting delegation expressed satisfaction with our level of preparedness. Their positive assessment is a testament to the hard work, coordination and commitment demonstrated by our teams across Government and the Private sector. Whilst we are encouraged by this positive feedback, we remain committed to further strengthening our preparations in the lead-up to April 2026. Our goal is not only to meet expectations but to exceed them, showcasing Zimbabwe as a premier destination for tourism events in the region,” he said.
The week-long programme will also feature technical workshops and the launch of the first Intra-Africa Mentorship Programme.
With global attention turning to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a key hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism, reinforcing its growing reputation as a destination for high-level international engagements and leisure travel.
