Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi has challenged the newly appointed National Committee for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism (IYSRT) 2027 to ensure the initiative delivers tangible benefits to communities and the tourism sector beyond commemorative events.
Speaking at the official launch of the 26-member committee in Harare this Monday, Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe should use the International Year to drive meaningful economic, social and environmental transformation rather than limit activities to celebrations and conferences.
She said the initiative must translate into stronger tourism enterprises, environmental conservation, investment in green infrastructure, improved destination resilience and increased community participation.
“The International Year must translate into tangible benefits beyond commemorative events,” said Minister Rwodzi.
She emphasised the need for tourism initiatives that create economic opportunities for women and young people while ensuring communities benefit from the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Minister also called for innovative waste-management solutions, including converting organic waste into compost and exploring waste-to-energy opportunities as part of efforts to promote sustainable tourism.
She said agriculture, hospitality and tourism-related enterprises presented opportunities for women and young people to participate in the tourism value chain.
In this regard, she highlighted the agricultural tourism initiatives championed by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is the Patron of Tourism, as an example of how agriculture and tourism can be integrated to create economic opportunities.
Minister Rwodzi said communities remained important custodians of Zimbabwe’s natural and cultural heritage and should therefore be active participants in tourism development.
The committee brings together Government ministries, departments and agencies, academia, women and youth in tourism, persons with disabilities and the private sector.
It is expected to coordinate the country’s National Programme of Flagship Activities for IYSRT 2027, focusing on responsible investment, innovation, climate resilience and inclusive development across the tourism value chain.
She added that the initiative was aligned with Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy 2025–2030, underpinned by the Heritage-Based Economic Transformation Agenda.
Minister Rwodzi added that Zimbabwe’s preparations should support a tourism sector that delivers lasting economic, social and environmental benefits.
The Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that tourism development was inclusive and that no community was left behind.
Zimbabwe’s preparations build on its hosting of the 23rd UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability meeting in Victoria Falls in April 2026, where the global logo for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027 was unveiled by UN Tourism.
The establishment of the national committee marks another step towards positioning Zimbabwe to use the international observance to strengthen its tourism sector while promoting sustainability, resilience and inclusive economic growth.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT TOURISM (IYSTR 2027)
Organisation
• Office of the President and Cabinet
• Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry
• Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development
• Ministry of Higher and Tertiary, Education Innovation, Science and Technology Development
• Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development
• Ministry of Energy and Power Development
• Ministry of Energy and Power Development
• Ministry of Local Government and Public Works
• Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife
• National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe
• Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
• Forestry Commission
• National Arts Council of Zimbabwe
• Environmental Management Agency
• Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
• Zimbabwe National Water Authority
• Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company
• Chinhoyi University of Technology
• University of Zimbabwe
• Persons with Disabilities
• Women in Tourism – Chamber
• Women in Tourism – Network
• Youth in Tourism – Chamber
• Youth in Tourism – Network
• Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
• Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
