Zimbabwe to host another United Nations Tourism event

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
In yet another significant development for Zimbabwe’s tourism trajectory, the country is set to host the prestigious UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS) meeting in September this year.
The decision was reached on Wednesday at the UN Tourism Headquarters in Madrid, Spain.
The 21st CTS meeting will bring together UN Tourism Committee members, policymakers, experts from international organisations, Regional Economic Communities such as the African Union, SADC, COMESA, and national and international media.
The global tourism event offers Zimbabwe a unique opportunity to showcase its rich cultural and natural heritage, which supports the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi
A statement released on Friday noted that the decision aligns with the country’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible and inclusive travel experiences.
“A key outcome of the meeting was the decision for Zimbabwe to host the 21st CTS meeting in September 2025.
“This decision underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, aligning with the country’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible and inclusive travel experiences.
“It is also in line with Zimbabwe’s 2025-26 growth strategy, focusing on MICE Tourism as a key initiative to strengthen its position in the sector,” reads part of the statement.
The statement added that the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, conveyed Zimbabwe’s readiness to host the event, stressing the country’s dedication to shaping the future of sustainable tourism development in partnership with other Member States.
Zimbabwe aims to implement policies and strategies in line with the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit.
Additionally, the Chair of the Committee, Hon. William Rodriguez Lopez, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica, along with UN Tourism Executive Director Ms Zoritsa Urosevic and other CTS members, commended Zimbabwe for its leadership in global tourism promotion, particularly in Africa.
As a key point of reference, Dr Dirk Glaesser, Director for Sustainable Development of Tourism at UN Tourism, noted the successful hosting of the first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa by Zimbabwe in July last year as a prime example of the country’s commitment to advancing tourism in Africa.
“He expressed confidence that Zimbabwe’s strong institutional and policy infrastructure would ensure the success of future tourism events.
“Minister Rwodzi expressed gratitude for the support given to Zimbabwe by the Chair and Members of the Committee, noting that this confidence is a testament to the people and Government of Zimbabwe’s capability to host international events.
She emphasised that the hosting of this event exemplifies inclusive tourism development, a vision championed by Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who serves as the Zimbabwe Patron of Tourism,” reads part of the statement.
It added, “As the Patron of Tourism, the First Lady introduced key programmes such as Gastronomy Tourism, Agric4She, and Farm-to-Market, which the Ministry intends to extend to every province this year, promoting inclusivity and sustainability in the tourism sector.
“These initiatives led to her recognition by UN Tourism for her efforts to empower local communities, women, youth, and people with disabilities.
“The initiatives aim to integrate the community into the Tourism Value Chain for Sustainable Development, a vision she continues to advocate for across Zimbabwe.”
Minister Rwodzi also indicated that Zimbabwe intends to position itself as one of the leading countries in promoting sustainable tourism.
The ambitious goal encompasses various aspects of sustainability, including environmental conservation, community inclusion, and the economic empowerment of marginalised groups.
“By focusing on these areas, Zimbabwe aims to set an example on the global stage. The decision to host the event aligns with the outcomes of the recently concluded COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, where tourism received significant attention for the first time in the history of COP Summits.
“Zimbabwe is eager to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable tourism and share its best practices with the international community, as UN Member States prepare for the UN General Assembly in the United States in September and the COP30 Summit in Brazil in November 2025.”
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