Zimbabwe is actively promoting its tourism brand at the prestigious International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, leveraging its recent accolade as Forbes’ “best country to visit in 2025.” Led by Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, the delegation is highlighting the country’s unique wildlife, cultural diversity, and community-focused, sustainable development strategy.
A key outcome of the expo was the signing of a Letter of Intent to host the 23rd UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS) in Victoria Falls in April 2026. This high-level meeting will be held back-to-back with the 3rd UN Tourism Women in Tourism Congress, marking Zimbabwe as the first country to host the CTS under the new UN Tourism leadership.
These developments are set to bolster Zimbabwe’s profile as a competitive Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination and reinforce its commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism growth on the global stage.
A significant milestone was achieved in Zimbabwe’s aviation sector as the first-ever Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner landed at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo. The aircraft, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, arrived as a charter flight carrying the South Africa Under-19 cricket team for the ICC World Cup, receiving a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) officials hailed the event as a major development that demonstrates the airport’s capability to handle large, modern aircraft. The successful landing is seen as an opportunity to attract more direct international flights and boost economic activity in the region by enabling larger passenger and cargo payloads into Bulawayo.
ACZ management expressed a commitment to engaging with carriers like Ethiopian Airlines to explore ways to sustain this level of operation, highlighting the potential for expanded air connectivity to support tourism and trade.
Zimbabwe’s Tourism Ministry has taken a significant step to modernize the sector with the strategic appointment of new leadership for two critical institutions. Minister Barbara Rwodzi has named fresh boards for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company, the state-owned entity responsible for driving investment in the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.
The new ZTA board will be chaired by experienced hotelier Farai Chimba, supported by hospitality veteran Lizzie Makwezwa as vice chair. The appointments bring together industry leaders to enhance the authority’s marketing and promotional strategies, aligning its work with the goals of the National Development Strategy 2.
For the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company, Phineas Makombe, a civil engineer, has been appointed chairman. This board is tasked with a pivotal role: advancing high-value tourism infrastructure and attracting investment specifically within the iconic Victoria Falls area.
These leadership changes signal a focused push to strengthen institutional governance, improve destination marketing, and accelerate the development of world-class tourism infrastructure across Zimbabwe.
Air Zimbabwe has unveiled a strategic plan to acquire six new aircraft over the next three years, backed by a $775.5 million investment. This fleet modernization is designed to revitalize the airline’s operations and significantly enhance domestic, regional, and international air connectivity.
The planned acquisition is structured in three phases:
Domestic Focus: Two aircraft will be dedicated to expanding domestic routes, increasing flight frequencies, and strengthening the internal network.
Regional Expansion: Two regional jets will be acquired to help reclaim market share on routes currently dominated by other airlines in Southern Africa.
Long-Haul Revival: Two wide-body jets are earmarked to resume direct, long-haul flights to key international destinations, reconnecting Zimbabwe to major global tourism and business markets.
The transition to a modern, fuel-efficient fleet is expected to improve operational reliability and reduce costs, positioning Air Zimbabwe to better serve the growing tourism sector and support the country’s broader travel industry.
The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, one of Victoria Falls’ most iconic dining and entertainment experiences, is celebrating a landmark achievement after recording its highest-ever dinner covers in 2025, the strongest run of months since the restaurant first opened in 1992.
This exceptional performance marks a historic milestone for The Boma, reflecting over 30 years of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to delivering an authentic and memorable Zimbabwean cultural experience. While previous record months were achieved in 2023 and 2024, the numbers in 2025 were unprecedented in the restaurant’s history. In total, The Boma hosted over 80,404 dinner guests during the year. That’s a remarkable average of 220 covers every night for 365 days.
– Interactive drumming show at The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show– The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show team– Themba Ncube (left) and Gerald Kapesa (right) – The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show management team
The record year was driven by the collective effort and passion of The Boma team, supported by strong leadership and a renewed energy underpinned by several enhancements introduced in 2024 and 2025. These include striking new staff uniforms, enhanced entertainment elements that further elevate the experience, and thoughtful additions to the menu, all of which have resonated strongly with guests and reinforced The Boma’s status as a Victoria Falls “must-do” experience for both first-time and repeat visitors to the destination.
Commenting on the achievement, Africa Albida Tourism Managing Director Nigel Frost said:
“This record-breaking year is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the entire Boma team, who put in an outstanding effort and consistently delivered an experience that continues to delight guests from around the world. We are also deeply appreciative of the continued support from our travel trade partners, corporate clients, government institutions, and the many private individuals who choose to book with us. Their confidence in The Boma has been instrumental in achieving this milestone. The Boma’s success in 2025 reflects not only resilience but a shared commitment to excellence and innovation that has defined this incredible restaurant since 1992.”
As The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show looks ahead, the team is focused on building on this momentum and continuing to enhance the guest experience while staying true to the cultural heritage that has made The Boma a key feature of Victoria Falls for more than 30 years. The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show is part of the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, which is operated by the Africa Albida Tourism hospitality group. The collection also incorporates the flagship Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, the premium 20-room Victoria Falls Safari Club, the spacious Victoria Falls Safari Suites, the family-friendly Lokuthula Lodges, the tranquil Victoria Falls Safari Spa, and Queen Nandi Place (a state-of-the-art MICE facility catering to upmarket events), all located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, just 4km from the Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe has been included in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bond pilot program. Starting January 21, 2026, Zimbabwean nationals found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visitor visa will be required to post a financial bond to receive it.
Key Requirements for Zimbabwean Applicants:
The bond amounts are set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the specific amount determined at the visa interview.
Applicants must agree to the bond terms and pay via the official U.S. Treasury platform, Pay.gov, only after being directed by a consular officer.
As a condition, visa holders who post a bond must enter and exit the United States through designated major airports, such as JFK, Washington Dulles, or Los Angeles (LAX).
Background and Compliance: The bond program, based on visa overstay rates, applies to citizens of over 30 countries. The bond will be automatically refunded if the traveler departs the U.S. on time, does not use the visa, or is denied entry at the border. Failure to comply with the terms, including overstaying, will result in the bond being breached and forfeited.
This new requirement adds a significant financial step for Zimbabwean travelers seeking U.S. visitor visas.
Zimbabwe, led by Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, is participating as a Guest of Honour at the 11th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) in Harbin, China. The forum focuses on fostering innovation and cross-border cooperation in tourism.
During a panel discussion, Minister Rwodzi showcased Zimbabwe’s strategic tourism clusters, emphasizing the Heritage-Based Tourism Strategy that positions local communities as custodians of culture and nature. She highlighted the success of the Rural and Gastronomy Tourism cluster, which has driven industrialization in rural areas, created jobs, and established an integrated farm-to-market supply chain for the hospitality industry.
The Minister also noted Zimbabwe’s successful hosting of UN Tourism events, such as the Tourism Gastronomy Forum, and underscored the country’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Chinese market while advocating for a smart, green, and sustainable global tourism economy.
Zimbabwe has successfully promoted its destination to the United Kingdom’s travel market at the inaugural Zimbabwe Travel Showcase, a dedicated Business-to-Business event. The gathering brought together 53 UK travel agents, 10 Zimbabwean tourism operators, and Kenya Airways to increase visibility and build partnerships.
The country’s recent accolade as Forbes Magazine’s “Number One Best Destination to Visit in 2025” was a central theme, reinforcing confidence in its appeal. Attendees were introduced to Zimbabwe’s range of attractions through presentations and virtual tours, including a live virtual safari that featured a surprise rhino sighting.
The event generated strong interest from UK agents, who requested more promotional materials to market the destination. This successful showcase is expected to encourage UK partners to expand their “Experience Zimbabwe” offerings, contributing directly to increased tourist arrivals.
Zambezi Cruise & Safaris has introduced a new luxury vessel, The Zambezi Trader, marking a significant upgrade to river tourism in Zimbabwe. The 66-passenger ship offers multi-night safari-style cruises on Lake Kariba, departing from Msuna Island.
The ship features 29 cabins with private balconies, air conditioning, and mosquito nets. Itineraries include game drives, birdwatching, catch-and-release fishing, and cultural visits to local villages, with excursions conducted on smaller tender boats. The company describes the launch as setting “a new standard of excellence” for exploring the Zambezi River.
Bookings are now open for January 2026 onward, with prices starting at $325 per person, per night. An exclusive year-end group booking offer is valid from December 10, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
Lokuthula Lodges, part of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, has finished the initial phase of a soft refurbishment aimed at elevating guest comfort while preserving the property’s authentic Zimbabwean charm.
Key Upgrades:
Eight lodges (units 38-45) have been refreshed.
Bathrooms were modernized with new toilets, walk-in rainfall showers, and the removal of bathtubs.
Lounges were brightened with new soft furnishings, and bedrooms were enhanced with new cushions for added warmth and texture.
A fresh coat of paint in Ndebele-inspired colors was applied to walls and doors, celebrating local heritage.
The remaining 16 units are scheduled for renovation in January. The property continues to offer flexible bed-and-breakfast or self-catering accommodation, with guests enjoying access to gardens, a pool, a pickleball court, and nearby signature restaurants, all set within a bush environment frequented by local wildlife.
