Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Government has approved a plan aimed at boosting tourism development in the Eastern Highlands, as the country continues to record steady growth in the sector.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, presented the Plan for the Targeted Development of Tourism Attractions in the Eastern Highlands, which was given the green light by Cabinet.
The plan focuses on unlocking tourism potential in areas such as Nyanga, Mutare, Vumba, Chipinge and Chimanimani, which have been identified as key growth points.
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is on an upward trend, with tourism receipts growing by 10 percent and contributing about six percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Government says the strategy will be driven through a cluster-based approach, which is meant to diversify tourism products and improve competitiveness across provinces.
The clusters include Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, sports tourism, culture and heritage tourism, as well as agro-tourism.
Authorities say this approach will also support devolution by ensuring that different regions fully utilise their tourism and heritage resources.
The Eastern Highlands has already seen notable improvements following the hosting of the 2025 Sanganayi/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi Tourism Expo in Manicaland.
Some of the developments include rehabilitation of key roads, refurbishment of hot springs and upgrades to sports and recreational facilities.
Legacy projects such as the Mutare Sports Club and the expansion of Grand Reef Airport are also expected to improve access and boost tourism activity in the province.
Government says the targeted approach will focus on developing each district based on its unique strengths, particularly in eco-tourism, adventure tourism and cultural heritage.
The initiative is also expected to create jobs, promote community participation and increase tourism earnings.
Officials say the plan will help position the Eastern Highlands as a competitive tourism hub while contributing to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
