THE Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to drive the country’s tourism growth, an official said this week.
Spearheaded by Transport Minister Felix Mhona and Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, the collaboration has cascaded down to parastatals. Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) have begun recording milestones that are reshaping the country’s economic landscape and redefining the travel experience.
At the forefront of this transformation is Zinara, under whose purview the national road network continues to undergo systematic renewal. The cornerstone of the current infrastructure drive is the ongoing rehabilitation of the critical 440-kilometre Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road. With over 47,5 kilometres already opened to traffic and multiple contractors accelerating progress, this key tourism and trade artery is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
The project follows the successful completion of the Harare–Beitbridge Highway and the Trabablas Interchange in Harare. These road networks have eased the movement of goods and people while significantly improving access to Zimbabwe’s prime tourist destinations, reinforcing the view that seamless travel is central to a thriving tourism economy.
In tandem with global aviation developments, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe has driven the transformation of the country’s aviation sector. The flagship project is the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which has increased its annual passenger handling capacity from 2,5 million to six million.
This modernisation has attracted a growing number of international flights into local terminals while enabling the extension of airline services to previously underserved regional destinations, opening up new tourism markets.
Reflecting on these developments, ACZ chief executive officer Tawanda Gusha credited the strategic leadership that enabled the transformation.
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“The shift we are witnessing in our aviation infrastructure is entirely a product of the unwavering support and visionary policy direction provided by minister Felix Mhona,” Gusha stated.
“His mandate to modernise our transport hubs has empowered ACZ to not only attract elite international airlines but also decentralise our services, ensuring that the entirety of Zimbabwe is accessible to the global traveller. The infrastructure we manage today stands as a direct testament to the minister's commitment to national connectivity, and we are extremely proud to be the implementers of this infrastructural masterplan.”
This improved accessibility complements the aggressive destination marketing championed by the Ministry of Tourism. The impact of Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi’s drive is already being felt on the global stage. Recently, Forbes magazine named Zimbabwe the "World’s Best Country to Visit in 2025," an accolade that underscores the progress being made in the sector.
These international recognitions are supported by strong statistical growth. In 2024, Zimbabwe welcomed over 1,61 million international tourists, generating an estimated US$1,2 billion in revenue and attracting more than US$190 million in sector investments.
This momentum continued into 2025, with third-quarter data showing a 15% year-on-year increase in foreign arrivals, bringing in over half a million visitors in just three months.
Regionally, Zimbabwe remains a strong performer, with African markets—led by South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia—accounting for roughly 68% of all arrivals, followed by solid contributions from European and American source markets.
ZTA chief executive officer George Manyaya acknowledged the collaborative environment driving the growth.
