File photo. Representational.
Harare: Zimbabwe's tourism sector experienced strong growth in the first half of 2026, marking a sharp increase from the 5 million visitors recorded during the same period last year with tourist arrivals rising to 6.4 million, according to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Officially opening the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo in Masvingo, Mnangagwa hailed the sector's sustained growth, diversity, and resilience despite global challenges.
He also highlighted growing investor confidence, noting that tourism investment surged to 132.3 million U.S. dollars in H1, up from 40.2 million dollars in the same period last year.
"Despite the various global realities, Zimbabwe is consolidating its position as one of the best and must-visit tourist destinations," Mnangagwa said, adding that sector growth has positively impacted the creative cultural industries.
He challenged the tourism industry to embrace innovation to enhance Zimbabwe's global visibility, while encouraging citizens at home and abroad to boost domestic travel.
Mnangagwa noted that socio-economic dividends from tourism investments are creating jobs and improving infrastructure, including roads, accommodation, and social services.
To sustain this momentum, Mnangagwa called for removing barriers to new tourism products, simplifying travel procedures under an "open sky strategy," and scaling up climate-smart infrastructure to support conservation and sustainable resource use.
