The Zimbabwean government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its national Tourism Master Plan, aiming to unlock new investment corridors and guide the sector towards more coordinated and sustainable growth. This initiative is a key part of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), with the goal of boosting tourism’s contribution to GDP, job creation, and foreign currency earnings as the country works towards its Vision 2030.
The updated plan will be developed in collaboration with the private sector and local communities, focusing on incorporating emerging tourism zones, product diversification, and community participation. Key priorities include:
- Policy & Investment: Reviewing the National Tourism Policy, improving the ease of doing business, and providing targeted incentives to attract investment.
- Infrastructure: Channeling investments into rehabilitating and modernizing critical tourism-supporting infrastructure like roads, airports, and ports of entry.
- Marketing & Development: Scaling up international marketing of the “Experience Zimbabwe” brand, promoting heritage-based tourism, and developing new niches like adventure and agri-tourism.
- Domestic Tourism: Amending legislation to rationalize pricing, making tourism more affordable for locals, who currently contribute 75% of the sector’s income.
Industry operators have welcomed the move, stating that a modernized, data-driven master plan will provide much-needed clarity for investors, address infrastructure gaps, and enhance Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness.
